The morning journal-courier., 1908-06-13
Gravesend Track Draws Rec ord Crowd and Riot Begins When Bookmakers Are
 Arrested.
BETTING ON EVERY RACE
Angry Crowd Swarms About Police at Each Arrest, But Nine Victims
 Are Safely Locked

New York, June 12,-Retween t5,000 and 10000 persons. a bumper throng for a Friday, journeyed down to the Graveeend race track today to see the horses run and if possible. to make a wager on their favorltes. Hundreds of galy dressed women were in the crowds in the grand stand and the field stand. Six races were run according to the schedule. There was betting too. on every race despite the fact that the new Agnew-Hart anti-gsmblIng law was in force and that John Cav announced that no speculation should be indulged in. Nine persons were taken into custody by the police au- thorities who, in uniform and plain clothes, circulated in large numbers among the crowds in the betting pavil- ion. The prisoners were charged with violating the new ant-gambling law and each man was held in $500 ball for a hearing tomorrow.
 Orlando Jones, one of the leading members of the Metropolitan Turf as- sociation. the big bookmakers' club. was the most prominent of the book makers arrested. A rumor to the ef- feet that Jones would invite arrest In order to test the constitutionality of the new law. circulated early. and when he was led from the betting ring and taken to the Coney Island police station, no denial of pre-arranged plan was forthcoming.
 Something akin to a riot occurred when the first arrest, that of Richard Weldon. bookmaker. was made just as the horses were going to the post for the first race. Detective Carr In palm clothes, grabbed Weldon. alleg- ing that he had seen him accept a bet. A scoie of angry men surrounded the rair and the detective and his charge were jostled severely Another plain clothes man, who was unknown to Carr rushed into he thick of the fray and caught hold of Weldon's arms, desiring to aid his brother officer. Carr, not realizing the intent, hit the other po- liceman over the head with his billy. felllng him. Carr was punched several times but meantime endorsements had been rushed to the scene and pres ently Carr and his prisoner arrived at the detention pen near the gate.
 Each succeeding arrest was followed by a wild scramble of the crowds to get near the chief actors in the scene, hut nothing more violent than the hurling of few vile epithets was in- dulged In. Allan Pinkerton. the head of the detective force at the track rushed hIther and thither as the crowds swarmed around the policemen and their victim, shouting Go back. go back Help the sport along by having no disturbance Be orderly, boys, and everything will come right
 On each occasion Pinkertons advice was taken by many who returned tc the betting ring to look for further eventualities.
 When the racing enthusiasts began arriving at the race track early In the afternoon an air of expectancy was noted everywhere. Gathered In smal knots on the lawns. in the paddock and elsewhere could be seen men talk. ing over the situation and speculatinf as to the probable effect the new law' would have upon racing. In the bet ting ring the bookmakers hesitated tc begin business but doubt as to wha would be permitted was early dspell cd by John Cavanaugh the master Q the ring, who warned the layers tha neither the Jockey club nor the Brook lyn Jockey club would sanction any in fringement of the law. AS if to em phasize this placards had been posted announcing that no betting was per ,mitted on the track and requesting report to be made to the Jockey clul of any violation of the rules
 If you want to bet" said Cav anaugh to the bookmakers, "yo d. so at your own risk"
 When the starters for the first rac were run up on the blackboards scores of bookmakers took their ac customed places In the line reserved for them. There was an absence however, of record sheets. cashiers bags and runners, the clerks wh rush about the ring reporting tn play upon the horses. The bookmak CTS, however, held their programs fl their hands and opposite the nam of each horse was quoted the pric that would openly have been la against the animal were the new la, not in effect Pushing through tn crowd and mp to the bookmaker oc casonally there came some perso who would hold q momentary whis pered conversation with the book maker and on receiving either ye or nay movement of the head woul depart. This, 1t Is said, In numbe instances constituted the making c credit bets. and there were numerou persons in both the spectators stand who declared they actually had see moneys passed. The odds, too fluctr ated, generally up or down indicatin that play was going on.