The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-07
mes-Dispatch Bureau,
Munsey Building,

"dSIlIiStpu, ~. -, pm y.
Gambling in society in. Washington
may be an evil of much greater pro-
portions than the public generally
thinks. Senator Martin, who Is a. mem
Der Of the subcommittee OF the District
Of Columbia considering tho anti
bookmaking bill passed by the House.
Unmarked day or two ago that while
not an advocate of race.track gambling
1t was his belief that bridge whist and
poker caused more unhappiness and
was generally productive of greater
evil than gambling on the horses at tho
Benning track.
The publication OF this statement
created great deal OF comment. and
Senator Martin has heard from a great
many women in Washington on the
subject They have been calling him
up by telephone to discuss the matter
with him, his cores pondents being un-
known TO him in every case. In every
case. also. they declare that the Vir-
sinia Senator did not overstate the
case: In fact. they all agree that he
might have made 1t far stronger.
The Cnsc Undcrstnted.
One OF these women in discussing the
subject with the Senator by telephone,
while refusing to give her name, said ::
Gambling at bridge whist is much
more serious than you have any idea
OF. It has become so bad that besides
losing more money than they can az
FORD. a great many women arc neglect
ing their homes, their husbands and
their children in order to devote them
selves to the game.
y realize that it has become so that
II is often embarrassing for a woman
to discharge her social duties at all
without playing cards Tor money"
The lady asked the Senator whether
something could not be done to put
,., stop TO the eyil. Senator Martin
could be done SO far as Congress was
concerned. but that he believed public
sentiment could be aroused by giving
publicity TO the extent of the evil.
when would result in its being large
~ eradicated.
Many stories could be related illus
trating the evils of gambling in
Washington. stories of large losses
inducing serious financial embarrass-
ment and frequently causing domestic
playing iii the national capital, the
pastime INDUCED in by many of his
colleagues among the lawmakers
Ing at cards as there was in Wash
1ngton twenty-five years ago. but what
with bridge whist and other society
games and the l-established game
VI PohSI, IL Is IikeIy tnat ABOUT aSI
much money changes hands over the
card table as there did in Washington
In the olden days.
They Also Are Smoking.
Senator Martin is far from being
man who believes in legislation to
regulate his neighbours morals and
habits, but he Is very pronounced in
his criticism Of two practices-gam-
ping and smoking by women. It is
well known that the latter habit has
grown In prevalence in Washington in
the last two or three years. Formerly
some OF the women wishing to be
regarded as ultra Smart" whiffed
cigarette in secret. Nobody but her
chum knew that she ever paid court
at the shrine OF My Lady Nicotine.
Now. however. girls who smoke. while
rarely or never indulging the habit in
public: DO not attempt to conceal
from their immediate circle that they
derive enjoyment from a Turkish or
Egyptian: they say" none OF them
smoke the American product.