Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-27
DETECTIVES ACTIVE;
GETTING EVIDENCE
AGAINST GAMBLERS
Precinct Men Assisting District
Attorney Baker.
SECURING BETTORS' NAMES
Headquarters Force Uneasy Over
Hint of Shake-Up.
THE PEARSON CASE CONTINUED
Curry Trial May Be Demanded Next
Tuesday-Policy Shop Unearthed
by Arrest Of Alleged Runner.
Headquarters Force Uneasy Over
Hint of Shake-Up.
THE PEARSON CASE CONTINUED

Precinct detectives. assigned TO
duty in connection with the anti
handbook campaign, are actively
engaged today in securing the
names OF patrons OF the gamblers.
In this work they are assisting the
members OF the police department,
who are working under the direc
ton OF District Attorney Baker,
and the information which they are
securing will soon be in the hands
OF that official Out Of long list
| of names number will be selected.
and it is said to be the purpose of
the officials to use them to fill out
blank spaces on invitations to call
al the grand jury room at all early
date. In the Police Court this
morning in the case OF George
Pearson, who was arrested yester-
day on the charge of making
handbook. the defendants attor-
neys secured a continuance until
Tuesday, when it is probable that a
jury trial will be demanded.
| Headquarters detectives are greatly exer-
| cised over the anti-handbook campaign and
| the reports Of an intention on The part OF
| Commissioner West to order a shake-up in
| the bureau In explanation of the charge
| that they have not been actively engaged
| in the prosecution OF the handbook men
during the past year some of the detectives
refer to talk Inspector Boardman had
| with them some months ago. At that time.
| It is stated the detectives were given an
order 20 keep hands off, but were told
that Information obtained by them was to
De turned over to the precinct detectives.
| Maj. Sylvester having charged the latter
with the work of breaking up the hand
| books in their respective territories.
| 1t is said that the precinct detectives
| were Instructed to look after the hand
| book men and other gamblers. the
! suit Of the failure of of the members
| of the headquarters staff to land n man
| about whom complaint had been made.
| Years ago there vas scandal In the po-
| lice department growing out of the as
| signment of two detectives the
| gambling cases, and Maj. Sylvester, 1T is
| asserted, concluded that by having large
| number OF men after the boolmakers the
department would get better results and
| there would he less danger of repetition
| Of the scandal
Police Activity Renewed.
Since Inspector Boardman had his talk
with the detectives about the handbook
| men, it is stated, one of the officers made
| a ease against suspect and gave it to
precinct detective. Other detectives. il is
said, reported the names OF persons who
| were suspected of having engaged in the
! handbook business. Shortly after The
| rp1 ha gal
| gamblers and after District Commissioners
| West took a hand in the crusade, il is
| stated. Inspector Boardman called the at
| tention of the headquarters detectives TO
| what was going and directed them to
| DO what they could TO stamp out the bust
| ness. .
| DESPITE the fact that the police reports
SHOW only three saloonkcepers TO have been
arrested during six years Ior ailesea Nioia ,
tons of the handbook law, IL ~ sald thal
| MANY such books have been made in sa-
Looms and that in some instances the bar
tenders or proprietors fcce.ved ana ans
ing the books Recently. however, II Is
| stated most of the books have been made
at places other than sa o9ns although sew
| eral barrooms were used as the lettering
| places, if not the headquarters, or the
| Precinct detectives who have been work.
ing on the handbook cases were out l1te
last night and early this morning gathering
| Information to assist them in their efforts
/ 10 land addltlOnal HANDBOOK men III court,
and the three members of the police depart
ment who are working under the direct
| supervision OF United States Attorney Ba-
ker aud his assistants also at work
This morning, it Is stated the police have
| the names of a number of patrons of the
handbooks and a statement showing the
names of the men with whom tSey placed
bets. These men VII be questioned under
| OATH by the grand jury or a representative
of the office OF the United States attorney.
Pearson's Case Continued.
When the charge of making 4 handbook
on the races, in violation Of $50 Of the
District OF Columbia code was Ned in the
| Police Court this morning against George
r. Pearson, better known 10 sporting cir
cles and to the police as big Dick" the
defendant. through his attorney, W. +.
| Ambrose. secured a continuance or the
| trial Of the case until next Tu ssday. At
| that time, ii is expected that Pearson viii
| demand a jury trill. and this e : Will ne
| added to the others awaiting action In the
tan.
| Pearson furnished bond late yesterday
| afternoon in the sum of $1,000, Josephus
| Wells the southeast merchant. becoming
the surety. The bond Will stand Tor fear
| sons appearance until the ease is hnally
decided upon.
| only one count has bean fled against
| Pearson it being alleged IN the information
! that Pearson bet divers sums OF money
| with persons unknown TO the assistant dis
| tr;ct attorney. Prosecuting Attorney Ralph
+ Given stated this morning that he would
/ take I'D the investigation OF the case at
J once and that ne might file other specific
! counts IL evidence was produced TO sup
! port them
| Detectives Vcrmlion and Armstrong and
! Policeman Lauten are working on ,he case