The Washington times., 1907-12-27
GAMBLING GOES ON
IN VIRGINIA TOWNS
NommonWealth's Attorney
Crandall Mackey Says
SimmS Plays Politics.
Witnesses Hard to Get, But
Prosecutor Has New
Schemes.

Crandall Mackey, Commemorative at
torney Of Alexandria county. Virginia,
had an interview with Inspector Board
man today IN relation to data he has
collected concerning gambling dens in
Rossiyn and throughout The county.
In commenting on the letter sent to
superintendent Of Police Sylvester by
charles /. Simms, asking that informa-
tOn be published concerning tie poker
games run IN Rosslyn, Mr.. MaCkey
states that he agrees with Mr.. Simms
mat games are conducted on the other
SIDE or the river, and that they are a
disgrace to the State and the county
lie says that the police and himself.
with the aid Of the citizens. have been
dlhgent In wiping out gambling, and
that strenuous campaign has been
WGged ever since he has been Com
monWealth's attorney. Mr.. Mackey not
only wants 70 cooperate with the citi-
Eens Of Virginia and the washington
police, but viii take active steps him
self In closing up the gamblers.
Says Simms Plays Politics.
In addition to the remarks Mr..
Nackey makes concerning the gambling
dens in Virginia, he states that the
letter sent to Major Sylvester by Mr..
Simms is a yelled attack upon him 20
further the political aspirations Of Mr..
Simms.
"Simms is playing peanut politics, - he
said. He is not moved nom a high re-
gard for a clean county. but hopes that
through efforts Of this character he may
meet with better success at the polls
than he did at the last election"
Mr.. Mackey compliments the police OF
Alexandria county for their diligence In
accomplishing the results that have been
brought about
Gambling is fiourishing across the
river" he said I know IL and fl IS
90 nHnnn ~
OF these gamblers is almost an impOS-
slbility, but we viii eventually over
come them. Unfortunately as soon as
one den is shut up another opens. Wit
nesses are needed TO convict the gam
blers and here Is where the great hitch
occurs. We have had men watching
these resorts until and o'clock in the
morning TO obtain evidence.
Witnesses Hard to Get.
so far the silent dens' are doing
business because Of the inability to OBJ
tain prosecuting Witnesses. If the games
are not closed down shortly I Will take
held of Il matter, and If necessary,
CCputize citizens to make arrests. MY
investigation have resulted in receiving
replies from former gamblers who car
RED on open places that they would quit
business. They have closed down, out
there are some places that we have not
been able 20 get a line on.
The courts Of Virginia are also part
ly responsible for the condition Of
affairs existing in Virginia All gam
bling cases are prosecuted under the
old Nuckels decision, which is wholly in
adequate in reaching these cases 1t
follows an old Arkansas decision where
all forms of gambling are carried on.
The court of appeals will no doubt re-
verse itself at its next session when a
gambling decision will be handed down
If the courts refuse to frame n de-
nHufa rHs
Of Alexandra county, I VIII use the
only means to hand. and il viii be this:
Whenever a man comes into the State
OF Virginia TO Camble-that is, my juris-
diction-I will 'Yag him, whether it IS
the one who conducts the game or the
man who has a bunch Of money to
: lose. My power is such that I can nold
the gamblers until tho next term Of
court convenes. which means that I will
be able 10 put under lock and key the
man who violates the law"