Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-19

former base ball player, who gave the
name of Samuel Emery yesterday when ne
was arrested. Two counts are placed IN
the information which was filed in the
Police Court this morning. The first count
alleges that Bert Myers, otherwise called
Samuel Emery" did bet and gamble the
sum of s12 on the result of a certain run
ming race. and the second count alleges
that he bet divers sums of money with
different persons on horse races.
When arraigned this morning Myers was
represented by Attorney Albert Sillers, and
on the advice of the attorney the defendant
pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury
trial. The hearing was thus continued in
definitely and will not be reached until jury
trials are resumed in the fall.
Given Raises Bond Figures.
Myers has furnished $500 bond for his
appearance in court when required, Andrew
Gleason becoming the surety. Prosecuting
Attorney Given announced today, however,
that the bond in the handbook cases would
be fixed at 81 900 hereafter.
The arrest of Myers, as stated In The
Star yesterday, was the result of close
watching on the part of Detectives YER
million and Owens of the first precinct for
about a week They received Information
Il few days ago that Myers was making
bets, and after observing him for a few
days they decided to arrest him. AS he
passed along the corner of 10th and E
streets northwest yesterday afternoon he
was stopped, and when searched at the sta
ton house, the police say, he was found to
have several slips containing the names Of
horses and sl1 in money. The police say
that he admitted that he made bets on the
races, but denied that he was operating
for himself.
This case is pointed out at the Police
thsa fanfi ny, n
by Prosecuting Attorney Ralph Given yes
terday that the runners and not the hackers
OF the books are brough before him. Myers,
the investigation is declared to have shown
Is at least not the hacker of book, and is,
II is alleged, runner.
plain Clothes" Men in Charge.
Maj. Sylvester said to a Star reporter
this morning that he had endeavored to
make his subordinates break up the hand
book business and to arrest and prosecute
everybody who had any connection with it.
In order that the handbook men might be
apprehended, be stated, he had directed
that the plain clothes men in the precincts
men who are not generally known-take
charge of the matter of making the inveSti-
cations and arrests. He did not think 1t
was good policy to have men who are well
known about the city to all classes have
charge of such work. Maj Sylvester said
it has always been his aim to have his
men arrest any and all violators of the
law, whether they were hackers of the
books or merely runners for the men Of
wealth.
In making arrests for violations of law,
he stated, the police department knows of
no reason why only certain classes should
be prosecuted. The chief Of police said
he realized the difficulties under which his
officers had to work to get information in
such cases. telephones and other devices
being used to cover the work, and he under
stood how the hackers would be hard to
reach unless the runners would turn in
formers If runners are stopped hackers
are without agents to do business, he said.
He hardly thought the runners would make
connection with their employers in a man
ner which would furnish evidence against
the latter.
Maj. Sylvester said he did not care 10
participate in any controversy with his
brother officials upon the question of what
mas seen done In the matter of prosecuting
the handbook men. He knew he had been
after the men under him to do all in stheir
power to break up the business and he still
thought that the imposition of jail sentences
by the court would prove more effective
than anything else. In regard to the mat
ter of accepting collateral he said, the
court furnished a list of the amounts to be
taken This list was furnished several
years ago, and it contained maximum and
minimum amounts to be accepted, although
the captains are to fix the highest collateral
In these cases.
Expect Defendants to Appear.
The taking of collateral, Maj. Sylvester
explained, is merely done for the purpose
of releasing the person charged for his ap-
pearance in court, and in all handbook cases
1t is distinctly understood that the defend
ants are to appear in court While he had
no statistics to show just what had been
done In all the cases made by the police
he stated he believed that all the men who
had been arrested upon such charges had
llt 70 RI
1t was explained by Maj. Sylvester that
the acceptance of cOllaterals in such cases
was somewhat different from the minor
cases of disorder or profanity. In such
cases, he said, the defendants generally I'M
derstand that they may be permitted to re-
main away from court if they are willing
10 have their money forfeited. Such is not
the understanding in handbook cases. how
ever, he said, as ii has always been his de-
sire TO have the cases tried and Jail SEN
fences imposed.
so far as l am concerned" said Maj.
Sylvester, Il am opposed to gambling in
this city in any form, but l realize that
so long racing is permitted, just long
will gambling be INDUCED in. and l am
going TO do the best i can to stop 1t. So in
concealed weapon cases in my opinion finan-
cal penalties will not prevent the carrying
of revolvers. We will continue to do our
best and correct any omissions as We find
them
A Flourishing Business.
There's no trouble about getting your
money down on the ponies If you are in
clined to become investor" said a man
today who is credited with knowing a good
deal about the handbook business. Moth
ing is easier There are so persons en-
gagged in the handbook game in the Dis
triCt, including principals who furnish the
money, agents and runners. The business
Is furnishing, and has been for a long
time"