The Washington herald., 1908-03-11
suppress Raee.traek Gamblinr.

District Commissioners Macfarland and
West want 10 put an end to gambling at
Benning. They keenly feel the shame
and disgrace Of the fragrant exhibition
OF lawlessness here at the Capital Of
the Nation twice a year. and appreciate
fully its hurtful and demoralizing effects.
Superintendent Of Police sylvester is
absolutely opposed TO the race-track gam
bling and wants to see it suppressed lie,
too, feels the shame and disgrace OF 1t
and, more than any one else, is able to
appraise the far-reaching evil effects
OF il.
II is evident that Commissioners Mac
farland and West and Police superin-
tendent Sylvester believe that all that is
necessary to stop the public gambling
az Benning-to wipe out the evil al
together-is the active aid and energetic
cooperation OF the district attorneys
Office.
Read what these officials say:
Commissioner Macfarland-
Arrests without prosecutions are
Ineffective Nevertheless. l believe
that arrests should be made when
ever there is gambling at the race
track, in the hope that prosecution
viii follow I have officially recon-
mended this, with respect 70 the COM
ing race meeting at the Benning
track
Commissioner West
II have always felt dissatisfied with
the policy Of waiting and doing moth
Ing but there seems TO be no use in
taking active measures unless the su-
perintendent of police has authority
TO go ahead from the district attorney.
and the backing after he has gone
ahead
Supt Sylvester
There is no use in making arrests
II the district attorney declines 10
prosecute; in fact, after one man had
been arrested for bookmaking. I was
instructed not 10 make any more ar
rests until this One-a test case-had
been decided"
At the present time the district at
torney's Office is waiting for a decision
as to the legality OF the ''ambuIatory
system which Is nothing more or less
than farcieal performance by the gam
blers Of standing on one foot or the other.
or keeping on the move while placing
hes in order 20 evade the penalty pro-
vided for the offense Of setting Up gam
ing devices. The gamblers themselves
and their allies. the rich race-track own
ers. are quite well aware of the absurditv
Of the pending contention which serves
to put a check upon the police depart
irent of Washington.
If Commissioners Macfariand and West
believe that arrests should be made
whenever there is gambling" and are
dissatisfied with the policy of waiting
and doing nothing" and The Washington
Herald is sure they mean just what they
say-it is in their power to stop the race
track gambling at the coming meeting.
Let them direct the police superin-
tendent to make arrests and keep on
making them day by day-to raid the
gamblers and keep on raiding them. re-
gardless OF subsequent results.
Does any sane person believe the New
York bookmakers are coming to the Can
itai if they know such a fate is in store
for them2
The business sentiment OF the com
munity is practically a unit for the sun
preston Of race-track gambling, even II
the Chamber of Commerce did fail last
night TO go on record in favor of such
suppression. Il is decidedly a business
proposition. It is more than that. 1t
is question that involves the good name
Of the city II is disgrace TO the Ma
tonal Capital.