The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-31

Senator Carter's strong stand against
the continuation OF gambling in the Dis
trict of Columbia, which he outlined in
an Interview in The Washington Herald
yesterday, has focused the various rays
OF the fight against this evil and has
brought TO a head the movement to purge
the District Of the race-track gamblers.
The general expression among Senators
yesterday was that Senator Carter had
said the final word in the matter, and
that things would move rapidly thence
forth in the elimination of the profess
sionaI gambler from the neighborhood Of
the nations Capital
Il has been insinuated by the interests
which are behind the bookmakers that
Senator Martin, OF Virginia, was their
friend, and that he would prove bull
wark against favorable action in the Dis
trict Committee upon the bill carrying
the Sims anti-gambling amendment. which
is now pending before subcommittee OF
that committee. Of which the junior Sen
ator from Virginia is a member. This
insinuation included the intimation that
Senator Martin. were he disposed 10 do
so, could render futile the strongly favor
able attitude which other Senators have
expressed toward the bill, although the
absence Of Senator Newlands from the
city and the illness Of Senator Hans
brough make these other Senators a ma
Jority Of the available membership OF the
subcommittee.
Martin Defers Statement.
Senator Martin returned TO Washington
last night from the Adirondacks. where
he had spent several days with his wife.
He was asked what attitude he would
take toward the pending bill, and what
his general attitude. toward gambling in
the District ia. He declined TO reply TO
either question, declaring that he pre-
ferred to examine the bill and consult
his colleagues on the committee before he
made any statement. He intimated. how
ever. that he might have. something to
say to-day.
II is understood that the Senator from
Virginia is in line with the other men,
bers Of the committee and the two other
members OF the subcommittee who Will
be able 70 attend the meeting at which
the bill is 10 be acted upon, and il can
be said that he is opposed to the con-
unuance OF legalized gambling in the
District The efforts OF the gambling eIe-
ment TO claim him as their particular
representative on the District Committee.
SO far as the pending bill is concerned.
have no foundation save in the anxiety
OF those who make the claim 10 further
an impression that their cause has not
Yet been lost.
VIII Act Before FRIDAY
Senator Carter said last night that he
would consult with Senators Burkett and
Martin to-day and arrange for a meeting
OF the subcommittee In time TO take ac-
ton on the Benning bill before the meet
ing of the District Committee on Friday.
when the BILL carrying the Sims amend
ment intact, will be reported back 10 the
full committee. 4 meeting of the SUBJ
committee cannot be held to-day. as
meetings of other committees OF which
Senator Carter is a member are scbed-
uled for this morning. Positive assurance
is given. however that the subcommittee
Will meet before Friday, and that the
anti-gambling bill viii on that day be re-
ported 70 the District Committee.
What the course Of that committee will
be IS already known. 4 majority of its
members have unequivocalIy declared
that they are in favor of immediate
action upon the pending bill. and that
they desire its passage by the Senate at
as early date as is possible.
No Division of the Bill.
Senator Gallinger, chairman Of the COM
mittee, is in line with the belief which
Senator Carter and Senator Burkett en-
teTtain, tnat it would be merely wasting
time to divide the Benning road-widening
bill and report the Sims amendment as
a separate measure involving the neces-
sity of its being again passed bv the
House, perhaps over the heads OF a not
too active District COmmittee-not too
active as regards the stopping of the
Benning gambling, at least.
The bill. when il comes from tho s1,h-
committee, will be the road-widening
bill. with the Sims amendment upon il.
as II passed the House. Ii will be amended
10 provide that the railway company shall
remove its tracks TO the middle of the
road when widened. and may have an
other minor amendment to the road-wid- |
enlng section. which has been suggested
by the Commissioners These amend |
ments, IL is believed will be readily
agreed TO by the House, and will not
materially delay the sending Of the meas |
ure to the President for his signature
May Pass This Week.
As il is assured that the bill will be |
reported from the subcommittee with a !
suggestion favoring its immediate passage. |
and as this report viii doubtless be
strongly indorsed by the District Com |
mittee, il Is beyond question that the |
bill will be in the Senate this week. pro-
Nided there Is a session on Friday.
Should the Senate not meet on that dav
the bill will be reported on Monday. It's
passage will then be only a matter OF
2 few minutes, as the majority of the
Senators. if not, indeed, all of them.
are in harmony with the District Com
mittee's desire to end the gamblers reign
AT once
The Art of Old .Iao,n