The Washington herald., 1908-03-11

I
That Is the consensus Of opinion ex-
pressed yesterday by representative busi-
ness men Of Washington in regard to
the public gaming. under the guiss OF
oookmakins. that is carried on semi
annually at the Benning race track.
There was not dissenting voice One
and all agreed that from a business
standpoint: the standpoint Of good
morals; the standpoint OF honesty and
decency. the whole race-traek business,
with It's gambling features. might well
be dispensed with.
Much surprise is expressed generally
that the present laws on the statute books
are inadequate TO cope with the evil, and
many people are OF the opinion that II the
authorities made a concerted effort and
were determined 20 prevent the gamblers
from doing business. they could accom-
plish their ends. but it is also felt that II
the authorities cannot work under the
present law. no time should be lost in
passing law that would free the city
from the stain upon It, and relieve it from
the odium OF setting such a striklngly
evil example 10 the other cities OF The
nation.
Deresstory 20 the Community.
Mr- Cuno Il Rudolph. president OF The
Washington Board Of Trade, says:
Every business man knows that this
business OF allowing public gambling
is derogatOry 10 the community in which
IL occurs. The people who are in favor
OF the race-track business tell Us a lot
} about the good & does in improving
the breed Of horses. but I don't think
that Washington as a city is -sufi-
cientIy interested in that matter 70 put up
with the public gambling. without which.
!. il would seem. the breed or horses cannot
be improved There IS no profit In allow
ing these race track meetings. none IT
, al. The hotels may profit a little from
, the race track foIlowers-peo7le the city
] could get along without very welI-the-s
may be a little money spent for feed and
so on. but in the sum-up Il viii be found.
! surely. that whatever money p-oht there
is is reaped by the race track men and
the gamblers.
I see that they say there is no law that
can touch this public gaming. doubt
much whether this is true: there must
be a law that can reach these gamblers.
but Il there IS none there should be one
, framed and passed without any delay.
The credit OF the city OF Washington de-
mands it.'
Exert a BanefuI Influence.
Mr.. Robert y. Harper. president of the
Chamber Of Commerce and OF the Ameri-
! can National Bank, says:
The Washington Herald may say for
me that I am strongly opposed 10 ali
forms oI gambling and to the insidious
gambling OF the race track in particular
I These people and the horse races do no
body any gOod. the bOOkmakers visit the
city for but one purpose. 70 make a
profit out OF the weakness OF certain OF its
citizens. and The influence they exert IS
an unhealthy and banefuI one. There is
no good reason why We should submit
/, the young men Of the city Of Washington
10 the temptation offered by these nonad
gameSters just because they come under
the guise, and with the excuse Of horse
racing. / am strongly opposed 70 these
bookmakers being allowed to ply their
should be brought 10 bear TO stop IT.
Ought 10 BE Broken Up.
Gen George II. Harries. vice president
Of the Washington Railway and Electric
Company. is emphatic against The evil.
, lie says: The whole business Of allowing
these bookmakiug gamblers 10 carry on
l1hcir trade should be broken up There
is no possible excuse for allowing thesa
men to swoop down twice a year and
prey upon the Washington public There
is every reason in the world against it.
wish 7 could tell you OF some Of the
specific instances that have come under
my personal knowledge of young men who
! had regulations for probity and honesty
and who were ruined utterly by the tempta-
TORS Of the race track; temptations
which they DID not seek. but which were
J brought here. 10 their very doors. under
the protection OF the law. These race
track gamblers have ruined many
J home; led many a young man astray. and
business men who employ clerks who are
likely 10 be tempted should be. IN their
own interest. and in the interest OF the
common good. the prime movers against
the continuation Of this gambling What
the difficulties are IN the way OF stop
ping this l have not inquired into closely.
buE surely. il the police were instructed
To stop these men who make a profession
OF gambling and who live By their wits.
they could do IL. We want to be able 10
take q just pride in the city OF Washing
ton. and, in such matters as this. set an
example to the whole country. / hope
sincerely that the present crusade against
the bOokmakirs business will achieve tbs
success It deserves. 1t viii be a great
thing for Washington 10 get rid Of this
evil"
DiSereditabIe to the City.
Mr.. Abram Lisner, proprietor OF the
Palais Royal says: 81 am opposed 10
the whole thing-the hOrse-racing as well
as the gambling. II does the city no
good; reflects anything but credit on
Washington II brings 10 Washington a
lot OF men who spend only little money
with the Washington business firms. and
they take away a LOT OF money which
ought 10 circulate in the regular channels
OF trade here. Il Is absurd to allow this
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