The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-10
AFTER FLOATING
DEN OF |N|QuITY
Takes Steps to Run Down
Gambling Ark In
Potomac River.
ASKS WAKEFIELD
FOR COOPERATION
Declares He Is Ready to Send
Virginia Officers Into Poto-
mac and Bring Culprits
to Speedy Justice-Also
Lookss1nto Conditions
at Pine Beach.

Vigorous action taken by Governor
Swanson in two important cases in
dicates clearly his purpose TO exhaust
every means at his command to put a
stop to certain disgraceful practices
within the border of the State. and to
bring to speedy justice those who are
openly violating Virginia laws by
gambling liquor selling and carousing
on the Sabbath day.
During his stay at Jamestown last
week His Excellency took up the mat
ter Of the Sunday violations and the
general rowdiness heretofore indulged
In at Pine Beach. and he received as
surances from the Norfolk county au-
thorities that proper steps would be
ia ken to prevent q recurrence of the
disorder. But much more interesting
and far-reaching case Is that OF the
infamous gambling ark in the Potomac
River. to which the Governor directed
his attention yesterday. This contri-
vance, which has been In operation for
some time and which has defied the
Virginia and Maryland authorities. is
sort of house -boat-a floating bar
room and gambling den, paying no
license and permitting its patrons to
indulge in nearly every form OF law
lessncss.
Sunuuy tne DIG OdS.
Sunday is considered harvest time
for this gambling ark. 1t anchors
somewhere near the Virginia Mary
small boats to Alexandra, Washing
ton, Georgetown and other nearby
points to bring In the sports" who
are said to be the widest bunch" who
ever operated In that community.
Commonwealth's Attorney Samuel G..
Brent. of Alexandria, has written Gov
ernor Swanson strong letter setting
out in detail the conditions prevail
ing on the ark.As a result Of this COM
munication the Governor has written
Governor Warfeld, of Maryland, ask
| ing his cooperation in the matter. and
declaring that5he Is ready to so to any
lengths In his power to rout this nest
of culprits.
Mr.. Brent's Letter.
The letter OF Commonwealth's At
torney Brent Is as follows:
Alexandria, Va. June 81, 1907.
To His Excellency, Claude A
Swanson. Governor Of Virginia,
Richmond. Va. #
My Dear GOVERNOR have Been
called upon by, a large number OF
citizens of this community to
| bring to your attention the fact
that an ark boat or floating boat. 4
4lAe0 up lOT lIleI uIpOSe OIL SdInD--s5
| ling and the sale Of Intoxicating
/! liquors, is anchored In the Mary
land waters short distance from
Alexandria. The patronage of
this gambling establishment Is
furnished by the people Of the city
! of Washington. VINO take the fer
| ry-boat in Washington and are
landed at the ferry wharf in this
city. They are then taken on
board q tug at the foot of King
| Street. of this CITY, and conveyed to
the ark or floating boat, where the,
| indulge In all Kinds Of gambling.
and drinks are furnished them un-
| til large number become intox-
\ icated.
The people remain upon this ark
until late hours OF the night. and
1 after leaving the said ark are
4 landed upon the wharyes of Alex
andria city, a great many Of
whom are in drunken condi-
tion. 1t has become an intolera-
1 BILE and insufferable nuisance to
this community, and the people
are anxious that 1t should be
4 broken up.
AS the unlawful gambling and
sale of whiskey Is carried on In
the waters of the Potomac, which
is within the jurisdiction Of the
state Of Maryland, / would respect
1. fully request that you call the at
tention of the Governor OF Mary
land 20 thls matter. and ask him
| Il ~, Il =