Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-26
PATRONS MAY GIVE
EVIDENCE AGAINST
THE BOOKMAKERS
Bettors Likely to Be Summoned
Before Grand Jury.
WOULD AID ROUNDUP PLAN
District Attorney Busy With Gam
bling Investigation.
ONE ARREST MADE TODAY
Prisoner Had Been Watched by Police
for Three Months-Bond of 81 600
Is Demanded for His Release.


Patrons OF handbook makers may
soon be given opportunity, Wiling
" or unwilingly. TO tell what they
know about the game as ii has been
PLAYED in the District If they are
called upon to talk, and ii appears
today as if they will be, they will
have the grand jury for an audi
ence. This is said to be an impor-
tant part OF the campaign against
gambling in Washington mapped
out by the District attorney Oh
fee, and when the news went
abroad today there was much hur-
rvine to and fro and putting OF
heads together among those who
have been in the habit OF placing
their dollars on the horses through
the agency OF runners Tor the men
behind the books Il the plan is
carried out the grand jury will be
engaged for several days i'll the eN-
animation OF witnesses. and among
them will be business and profess
| sional men. government clerks and
many others. 1t is believed that
] from the testimony OF these men
enough information can be secured
To round up every one OF the hand
book men who have remained in
the city since the campaign OF pub
licity against them began. What
the police believe is an important
arrest was made this afternoon,
when George Pearson. colored. was
taken to the sixth police precinct
station and charged with violating
the pool-sclling law. The amount
OF bond required to secure his re-
lease is ST 900.
District Attorney Baker is strenuousy
| prosecuting his investigation into the hand
| book business, hut stated today that he
was not prepared to announce any devel-
| opments. Referring to his recent interview
| with Commissioner West he said that
| while he could not maxi public what trans
| PRED he found the Commissioner in fun
accord with him in his determination to
stamp out handbooks His Office. Mr..
Baker says has never let UP in its prose-
| cution of gambling and when the two hand
| book men were sent 10 jail he conferred
with his assistant at the Police Court and
advised that strong measures be adopted
and following in subsequent arrests for
such violations of the law. This order. he
! declared. has never beeh revoked.
| No occasion exists. Mr.. Baker declared,
! for calling the m@rshals deputies to
further his investigation. but he would not
deny that he might take such a course il
| circumstances warranted.
Asked as to how results might be
| expected from the investigation Mr.. Baker
said it was impossible to say now. Arresis
might be made AT amy time, or again II may
! be several weeks before Sufilcl'nt evidence
| could be secured to effect u conviction OF
the persons whose movements are under
| strict surveillance.
All information which reaches the Dis
trict attorneys office as to persons engaged
| i'm this business. well as the location or
| place where bets are registered IS being IN
| restigated.
Bettors May Be Called.
| Persons who are interested in the prosecu-
| ton OF the handbook men have considered
the advisability Of making move, which,
il is thought, will have the effect of bring
| ing into court every man who has been en-
gagged in the business during the past year.
1t is realized that the adoption of the plan
would mean the giving of publicity to hun
dreds of persons who have patronized the
men who have been reaping harvest. The
plan is to procure the names of the persons
who have been playing the landlords ana
have them summoned to appear before the
| grand Jury United States Attorney Baker
or one of his assistants could then put each
I man under a searching examination. and. II
| is thought, the names of all the Sullty per-
| sons would be revealed
| This method of conducting the investiga-
! ton, it is believed. would be more salts
factory than that Of having the handbook
men arrested upon Police Court warrants
and then be given an opportunity to get
long continuances of their eases, as has
been done in the past. BY getting the
players before the grand jury, it is argued.
the United States attorney, or one OF his
ass Stants, could have an opportunity 70
select the most important Win Saes 70 APP
pear in court against those w1p were IN
dicted. The claim i being made icy friends
| of the gamblers that the government would
be unable to compel the Witness to give
| testimony, basinS their claim upon the
| theory that the players are liable under the
law as well as the hackers or runners. No
| such construction has been placed upon the
law by the courts. however. ana persons
who are in "A position to know say that the
! Witnesses could DE compelled TO answer
| questions asked them.
Big Dick" Arrested.
! Wearing "A "sparkerT worth about 500
! and with nearly $500 in cash in his pocket,
! George. r. Pearson colored Who is known
in sporting circles as Big Dick" fen into
| The hands Of the police today. charge OF
having made a handbook being preferred