The Washington herald., 1908-03-25

Necessity OF the repeal OF existing
laws governing race-track gambling in
the District of Columbia has been fully
and wholesomely demonstrated BY mem
bers OF tho Washington police depart
meHt st Renning.
Maj Sylvester, superintendent OF police
yesterday, made statement of much liz
terest 60 the law-abidng citizens Of the
District. to Commissioner West That
statement demonstrates not alone the. in
efficiency Of the Federal law In the Dis
trict 10 wipe out pernicious gambling on
the Benning track. but il also discloses
the worthy efforts OF the police depart
ment to drive the gamblers out and pro-
tect tho people from their eontaminating
influences.
Maj Sylvester. i'm admirable manner.
shows the cunning and cupidity OF these
men who feed upon the community and
keep within the laws confines.
Place Their Bets.
In order 10 ascertain an exact under
standing OF tho Benning situation. the
Washington police laid bets-winning or
losing. according TO the training of the
speeders' and the track manipuators.
No more interesting statement, perhaps.
has been made public IN this city for
some time by an official of the munich
pality
In an interview last night Commits
sioner West said
The effort 20 secure warrants for the arrest n
hooSmakers al the Benning race track signally
iaied Upon complete information Of bets made at
me ace useS' the district attorney Informed Mai
t'es'ef ina, the actions brought u his attention
did not constitute any violation n law
MAJ Sylvester. acting under the direction NJ the
'onllnssione1s. had force of officers al the race
rack on Monday. with instructions To secure eti-
uence o. actual bets there could be 10 dispute n
90 the facts. and then to ask for warrants upon
which the men could be arrested.
Instructed TO Arrest.
he was also instructed to make arrests without
warrants II he found violation % the codes re
iaiins 10 gambling ahch sections are separate ana
Instinct from tho bookmaking and ool-selline law
Int be reported there we're no violations of these
sections. inaSmuch as the men complied with the
decision Of the court and did not register their bets
~ any established booth
The district attorney also holds that the managers
~ the track are not liable under the law FOR main
tanning place where a gambling device is set 1lp
Hnd refused to -ssue warrants against tiem The
nAcS VIII he kept under police Surveillance al
though IL is evident under the decision 81 the
United States district attorney that there viii be
no charge in conditions until the law is repealed
Iaj. SylveSter's Report.
Mai. Sylvester reported as follows:
Hon H. L. West Commissioner D. e.
81; IN conformity with the directions NJ The
Commissioners the chief Of tho detective service Of
ihis department. accompanied by ten members OF his
iotce. proceeded to the grounds Of the Washington
locAey Club. rear Bennins D. O.. on the opcniur
day II the races there March g and Ealr carrful
irsiNction 10 the surrounding in tho course of tho
davs e'ents and found persons betting while morng
about without established stands places for such
bi- ineee.
Tie following named officers were uresent 70 secr,
cFidencc of betting the races. Detective Sere1s
Rsrbee Nermillion CoTnWcll 1iaur ETaus. ODsa
McNamce Berman. Hewlett and Pratt
Sersis- German and McNamee made a wager. or
bei With Solomon Lichtensteln. maker; Jacob
Minenger. witer; Thomas Van Cott. cashier on the
horse Cal BOY; also with H. Honef maker. Charles
Tiotter. writer. James Riley cashier. on the horse
tan Boy, and lost, and have information in hand
relative thereto
Wins His Wager.
Sergf Cornwell made a wager with Ben Dari.
maker Morris Lcvy. writer John smith. cashier on
ms horse Prince Of Pilsen and won and sert Raur
LEI with Hay Hoffman, maker: W. c. Nfyro1
writer; ". !. Harvey. cashier on the horse Yama
'hii'tf diA ioNf tnu>e men nave such information
sergt dowlett made wager w:;h Dan Don
relly Harry Wells. writer: Edward Barnev. cashier.
'c the horse Bcllwethcr an6 won and Servt TNratt
iradc bet with Robert McNIahon maker; Charles
Fink. writer; Michael Campbell. cashier. ol the
horse Smoker ard won. and this information they
nave ip detail
solgts Evans and ODes made wagcrs with Charles
Lead maker; Paul J. Rancr. writer Solomon Fink
asher on the horse Sugar Pine. and won: and
with George Zcllcr. maker John Adams writer
Walter Cough. cashier. un tho horse Servile. and
osi This information is in the possession of the
officers.
sergts Vcmillion and Barhoe made a bet with
John G Blake. maker: John DYER alias Duver
writer; Charles Lewis. cashier. ON the horse Poco
aigo anf lost; and with Frederick Vogt maker
Richard March winter: James Stiles cashier. on
he horse Two Saints, and lost. and have all infor
nation relating thereto
Baker Is Notified.
Your superintendent and Capt Boardman called at
fhe oh'ce Of the United States district attorney this
morning and Informed Assistant United States At
iorney Harvey GiTen Of what was required Of the
department and that members Of the detective force
had collected evidence against the bookmakers on
Yesterday. ard bad come there 10 80 state. when
informed that IL was not in violation Of
iaw The matter was then taken before the Hon
d. W. Baker. district attorney, who desired 70
know the reason for our call which was explained
10 him. He informed us that there was no viola
tion n law. under the decision Of the ccr neither
there a violation Of the law by the Jockey Club
Herewith enclosed schedules giving the names
~ officials Of the club and programme Of the day
together with invitation.
The club does not charge for licenses or privileges
N bookmakers. hut. ! am informed supply the sta
fionerT used by those gentlemen in their work.
Respectfully submitted.
Signed RICHARD SYLVESTER.
Major and Superintendent.
I. S.-Assistsnt Attorney Given made inquiry of
myself and the captain II the betting al Benning
vas carried on in the same manner A. the last
meeting Of the club. which answered in the
ashrmatiFe. member OF the district attorneys Of
nce Vas presen, observing the manner Of the con
duct Of the races.