The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-02-15


fee. where I was introduced to Lee
Let, he explaining that Lee Let was
his cousin. We sat there for some time
talking about general matters, the
weather, ETC., and finally Lee Let said
something about Chinese New Year.
and we talked about the Chinese New
Year and what the Chinese did during
their holiday week. At this juncture
Lee Tong opened a cabinet and brought
forth bottle of Kentucky whisky and
some glasses. Lee Let also brought a
box of choice Canton lichee nuts, ex.
planning that they were the very best.
The glasses were filled and we all toast
ed the coming New Year. About this
time Lee Let stated that there WIS
something that he wished to discuss
with me and asked II 1t was agreeable
to me to begin the discussion. I re-
piled that 1t was. Then he asked Lee
Tc ng and Mr.. Ayres to retire while we
dis cussed the matter alone.
NINE HUNDRED A WEEK.
After Ayres and Lee Tong left the
office Lee Let came out fiat-footed say
ing that his brother, Lee Tong, was an
oldtime resident here, as he was also,
and said that his brother would like
to start UP some gambling games be-
ginning about the New Year. Lee Let
said, 1T will have good backing. / am
business man here and ,3u,d rep
resent Lee Tong myself in this matter
IL you thought best" told Lee List
that he would do as well as anybody
else. I asked what his plans were and
he said, "Of course, this very small
Chinese community, but we like to start
some pakapio bank, che-fa bank, fan
tan and paikau. Perhaps we only
start in small way and make bigger
later on. We fix up all right with you,
MIR. Taylor, and You help us out. Mr.
Ayres he say you all right, and think
the matter can be fixed all right. We
make conditions" I said: well, what
conditions do you mean?" and he an
swered, well as you see this small
Chinese community, think We pay you
5000 one week. Maybe by and by we
start che-fa game you make little more.
then We try fan-tan and some money
for you. You pay all expenses. Mr..
Taylor" I said to him, what do you
mean by expenses?" and he replied,
We'll, you see, probably somebody el-e
have to help you look after things in
the police department. Probably you
no can do all yourself. Suppose some
OIL people get arr ested, you pay ex-
penses in court, and we pay you $500 a
week for four banks" And I said:
You mean just through the Chinese
New Year," and he said. mo. we go
continue right along each week and you
get $780," 1 said will you furnish
me with a list Of your banks as well
as other banks so will not get mixed
up?" and he said, Yes, I give you
list; you got to make some arrests, of
course, to make people think you all
right, but you don't arrest our people;
we help you out that way" Little
later on he said that before in former
time (meaning the former administra-
tom $500 week was paid for three
banks" Lee Let said, when - waA
there they pay him $500 a week for
three banks"
Lee Let went on to explain that it
would be a very good thing for me,
to make lots Of money, and it would be
all right all around.
Lee Let said, II think you study over
lHiS Idtleri you MAKE inquire yourseil
and suppose we talk again." 1 said
"all right and asked, when do you
want to have another meeting?" He
replied, Tomorrow more better because
it is getting close to New Years and
we want to get ready, soon' and I
said, "All right, come down here again
at $50 on Wednesday, and that would
be February g." and with that the
discussion came to a close. Ayres and
Lee Tong were called in and we had
another drink all around and it was
explained to Lee Tong that things were
moving along satisfactorily.