Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-25
The Handbook Will Go.


drawn to the surface and
The Handbook Will Go.
! The secrecy maintained by officials re-
garding the action decided upon to run out
the bookmakers is looked upon as neces-
sary to secure the successful carrying
| out of the plans. 1t is known, however.
that District Attorney Baker conferred
with Commissioner West at the District
building late yesterday afternoon, and told
him of his determination to get busy
and he found Mr.. West in the same mood
and ready to help him in any move he
wanted to make. During the conference
Commissioner West was given the names
of detectives and policemen who are re-
garded trustworthy and not friendly
with gamblers, and who were Immediately
directed to report to Mr.. Baker for instruc-
tons.
Men Who Will Help Baker.
Considerable thought was given to the
selection of these men by Mr. Baker, and
it is said they should feel fattered by the
commission intrusted to them, and for the
opportunity to show their value to the Dis
trict. The men chosen were Detectives
Helan and Grant, and later Lieut.. Hartley
OF the first precinct, who formerly
active in several raids against handbook
men when he was sergeant and on duty
on the street. was added to the detail.
According to official who is in a po-
sition to know, Mr.. Baker displayed an in
innate knowledge of the personnel OF the
police force, especially the detective bu-
reau. Much to his regret, Commissioner
West said that he had heard assertions
regarding the detectives and their friendli-
ness for handbook men. Every precaution
has been taken to detect any traitors in
the ranks and to prevent any tipping on
of the handbook men.
Mr.. West informed Mr. Baker that these
men are to be directly under the District
attorneys orders, and in the event OF his
having any doubt or suspicion that any Of
the men are not sincere in this duty he
will report it at once, and little time will
be lost in preferrng charges against them.
Shake-Up in Prospect.
AS a result OF the information that has
been furnished Commissioner West, who
has supervision of the police department,
regarding the members of the police depart
ment and the detective force he is consid-
erng making a big shift which will mean
that all but two or three of the present de-
tective force will be put in uniform and
assigned to precincts for regular police
duty and Trustworthy young policemen from
the various precincts will be assigned to
their places at detective headquarters.
Commissioner West said today that this
was new suggestion, and he would con-
chief of police. some time this afternoon II
Is also intimated that some of the police
captains in whose precincts handbook men
have been fourishing and are known to be
still operating will be called Ito the front"
to make explanations, which action il IS
said, may result in their being shifted to
other precincts.
Conference With Police.
A conference was held al the office Of
District Attorney Baker yesterday after
noon, which included several precinct cap
tains and the three men who have been de-
tailed to work at the district attorneys
office. Among those present were Capt.
Doyle Of the eighth precinct, Capt. Suii-
van of the second precinct Capt Boyle OF
the third precinct, Lieut.. Hartley and De-
tectives Hean and Grant.
1t is believed that plans for an active
campaign against the handbook men were
made at the conference. and Information
obtained from the representatives from
the various precincts which will lead 10
further Investigations by the three men
working specially to break up the handbook
evil. After the conference, however, those
present were very reticent about what
transplred.
This active participation of the district
attorney in the moves to secure he arrest
of handbook men is not new here Some
years ago, ii is recalled by those with
whom a Star reporter talked today, the
then district attorney desired more activity
in making arrests OF policy runners, he be
lieving that the police We're not active
enough at that time. Plans were promptly
made to make raids by the deputy United
States marshals, and after careful prem
araton that was done. The result was
the arrest and conviction of several alleged
keepers Of policy shops
That District Attorney Baker and his as
ha MAJ f,nn