The Washington herald., 1908-03-30


The kneu of the bookmakers at Ben
min. as they themselves realize, is al
ready tolllng.
The bell that is ringing down the cur
tain upon their operations in the District
Of Columbia was given greater impetus
by Senator Carter. of Montana, last night.
The Senator from Montana is chairman
of the subcommittee OF the Senate Dis
trict Committee, to which Senator Gal
Hnger on last Friday referred the bill
which carries the Sims anti-gambling
amendment as passed by the House. lie
returned last night from Florida, where
he went as member Of the funeral
party Of Senator Bryan.
When seen at his home by a repre-
sentative Of The Washington Herald Sen
ator Carter said without qualification that
he was in favor of immediate action to
end forever the reign Of the bookmaker
at Benning.
He made clear his belief that book
making is by no means an essential part
of a race meeting.
InquaIiaedIy Against IT.
Il have no hesitancy in saying" said
the Senator, that / am unqualhedly
against the continuance of Iegalized gam
bling in the District. believe that il is
against the best interests OF the people,
and that it should be slapped at once.
so far as the present meeting is con-
cerned, 1 can see no reason why the Con
gress of the United States should take
cognizance of its existence, unless it is
as a further reason for passing legislation
to prohibit throughout the District the
practice of gambling
The fact that gambling is now being
conducted at the race track is. 10 my
mind. the strongest argument in favor OF
legislation to stop it, II ii did not exist,
there would be less pressing reason for
the legislation which is pending.
Horse facing is not only a wholesome
and a heahhful sport" he continued. "but
it has done much to improve the breed
OF horses, and should be encouraged. The
bookmaker is not a necessary or desir-
able adjunct of that sport
Similar to Senate Bill.
Senator Carter had not yet seen tho
bill TO widen the Benning road. which
passed the House with the Sims amend
ment to the District anti-gambling law
upon IT, He said. however. that he pre-
sumed that II was a duplicate Of the bin
which his subcommittee has had under
consideration for some time, the bill hav-
ing been submitted 10 both Houses OF
Congress by the Commissioners Of the
District. The only objection he had TO
that bill was that it did not provide that
the street car tracks should be removed
to the middle of the widened street.
which lie considered essential 10 the
symmetry OF the street when so widened.
He could not give an opinion of the
bill itself. not having had an opportunity
20 examine II. but having had the
phraseology of the Sims amendment re-
peated to him, he said that he believed
the bill would meet the requirements of
his personal attitude.
Would Not Divide Bill.
Senator Carter did not subscribe to the
suggestion that the bill as it stands
should be divided, the Sims anti-gambling
section being allowed to stand ION its
own feet This could only result in
delay. and the Senator did not believe
that there was any necessity for il. II
the bill in this form had passed the
House there was no reason why II should
not pass the Senate in the same. or sub
stantially the same, form, since the rules
in the latter body are no more strict
than those OF the former. and are more
susceptible OF adjustment by unanimous
consent.
Senator Carter said that the bill would
be taken up promptly by the subcom-
mittee, and since two OF the members OF
that body have expressed warm approval
OF the proposed bill, this means that Il
Will be reported to the District Committee
promptly. A majority OF the members
of the District Committee have indicated
that they are In favor of the bill. and
that II will be ordered reported to the Sen
ate on Friday next is practically fore
gone conclusion.
Senator Martin Returns To-day.
There are only three members OF the
subcommittee who will be able To attend
a meeting this week-Senators Carter
Burkett. and Martin. Senator Burkett IS
among the most enthusiastic supporters
Of the BILL Senator Martin has been ont
Of the city. and has not had an oppor-
tunity to express his views. He will re.
turn 10 the city to-day. His colleagues in
the District Committee do not doubt that
he is In line with them upon the bill.
Senator Carters avowal makes II 3
certainty that the bill will not have 10 be
acted upon by the House again. unless II
be for the approval of minor amendment,
10 the street widening sections. II 1.
known that majority Of the members
of the Senate. including the entire mem
bership Of the District Committee who
are now in the city, are in favor O,
stopping the bookmaking evil senate,
Carter viii be in charge Of the bin wber
IL comes up for passage in the Senate
consideration That the bill VIII be pp-
up 10 the President before the end of tbe
present meeting at Benning cannot be
doubted
Washington is soon. in short. TO have
wholesome racing, which can be enioved
by the entire community without scruples
regarding the opprobrium which they NAV
bring upon themselves in the eyes OF
their friends by attending.