Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-20


As a result Of the publicity given to the
operations of the vioators OF the pool sell
ing law the handbook game has taken con-
siderable of slump. Some of the more
prominent of the commissioners have
left the city for the summer. the others
are keeping so low that It would be hard
to catch glimpse of them with a score or
searchlights. and even then it is doubtful
if they would accent IL bet. 1t is said. S'V-
eral regular bcttcrs were politely turned
down yesterday.
Betting by Telephone.
In spite of this condition OF affairs. bet
ting was carried on yesterday by the hand
book men while under cover. but al the
bets were made over the telephone and then
only by who were known safe
and who had been given the hiding hand
book mans temporary telephone number.
reporter for The Star visited score OF
places yesterday afternoon where he
Informed he could make all the bets lie
wanted week ago. but u met with no sue
cess. The best he secured was d suggestion
from lounger in barroom that if he
waited around maybe some one Won d turn
up. He waited nearly an hour and the
handbook runner not only failed to put
in an appearance. but the usual race fol-
lowers and touts who are familiar sights In
that saloon on any afternoon did not show
up. The barkeepers in this pace, who are
generally more eager to talk horse" with
their patrons than to serve them drinks,
very CloSemouthed yesterday, and
when one of them asked what looks
good in the handicap at Brighton" he in
noCently asked. Are they running at
Brighton now"
Before The Star reporter started out yes
terday afternoon to make some bets he
was tipped off by local sporting man that
the errand would be useless.
Killed by Publicity.
ION account of all this publicity" the
sporting man said. 1.-The bunch have gone
10 the tall timbers. but even If they hadn't.
j doubt If they would take your bet with
out knowing you or having an introduction
to you. They may have been running
pretty open game, but the wise ones were
always particular about introduction to
a gent before they take his money. There
handbook making in the District be-
fore Maj. Sylvester took the job and there
Will be handbooks long after he is gone.
AS for the police department, l am giving
you the right dope when l tell you there
are about 100 regular handbook betters
pounding bricks for Sylvester. | wouldn't
want to knock this little bunch of sports.
but 1t appears to me that they could do a
lot of good if they told Sylvester all they
knew. But. the level. think they are
more likely to tell the 'bookies' all they
know instead of Sylvester"
When asked how many handbooks were
operating in the District up until a
week ago. this man said. About go.
Nothing Doing" Everywhere.
The first place visited by The Star re-
porter yesterday was a cigar store on the
avenue. not far from the Capitol He was
told that book had been run in the store
for a number of years but when he entered
an aged man behind the cigar counter was
the only sign of life about the place. The
usual hangers on who generally lounge
around places where bets can be made,
making sort of sign out OF themselves.
were absent. When the question OF making
bet put up to the man behind the
counter he said he hadn't the slightest
idea where gentleman could make
bet. None had ever been made in his place.
he added.
A saloon on the avenue short distance
from this cigar store was next visited,
but The Star mans money went begging
again. man sitting in front OF the place,
who was said to be the boss. said in very
emphatic terms that no handbook men ever
use his place office. and that he
didn't know of place in the city where
d bet could be made.
A in hotel on the avenue who was
known to The Star reporter as bettor
was seen next. He was asked if he thought
the reporter could get a bet down on the
fourth race at Brighton. or whether 1t was
too late and he replied Why, you couldn't
get a bet down If you had come around
at sunrise. If you have something hot and
are very anxious, l might land it for you"
Have to Use Password.
"Where will you play it?'' he was asked.
Now. you getting curious. What's
the difference where l play IT, as long as
you get down on your racer"
"Weu, l can go with you while you make
the bet for me. can't II" the reporter asked.
Sure. but l amt going any further than
the nearest telephone" he answered. TN
call up a friend of mine who Is keeping
low. and he Will take the bet when l give
him the password
I'm much obliged for the information.
but that wouldn't do much good" said
The Star reporter. and hurriedly left in
search Of some other places where he had
been told bets could be made, but II was
d case Of nothing doing" at the remainder
OF the places visited The lid was on good
and tight.
The Star must have frightened off the
handbook men, remarked dealer in the
Center market to Star reporter this morn
ing. land hope the good work will be kept
up There was not handbook man in evil
dence in the market yesterday. Their alb
senCe from the market Is something un-
usual for two or three OF them had been
coming here every day.
II had one of the good things yester-
day" he added, but nobody came to get
my money. II The Star succeeds in driving
the handbook men out of business. it should
certainly receive the thanks of thousands
OF victims of the gamblers
Has Benning on His List.
Maj. Sylvester was not at his office this
morning. having: gone out OF the city. Be
fore going away, last night he gave out an
interview In whSch he Is reported to have
said:
Cooperation between the courts and po-
lice department Is necessary in eradcating
all forms of gambling In the District of
Columbia The police department has not
attempted to criticise the disposition made
by the courts In the case Of the handbook
men. though l believe 1t is realized BY all
concerned that the imposition of jail SEN
tence Will DO more to break up this form
OF gambling than the assessment of a fine.
matter how large. In order to put an end
10 the handbook industry In Washington
the executive and judicial departments Of
the District government must work IN har-
rnony. and II Is the business OF this depart
ment to arrest and prosecute all connected
with 1t. leaving the question of punishment
TO the courts
Under the present ruling bookmakers are
permitted to make pools on the races during
the Benning meet. the only requirement be-
Ing that they shall not establish themselves
at stand as was heretofore the custom.
Doubtless because of this many of the
handbook men feel that they also should be
permitted to accept bets upon the horses at
all H4es, but such Is not the case, and
shall Continue to do all In my power to pre-
vent 1t.
Opposes All Gambling