The Washington herald., 1908-03-11
STOP GAMBLING AT
THE RACE TRACK.
Continued from Page one.


orgie Of public gambling twice a year:
there is no excuse for IL II tempts
men who are going about their honest
business, doing their work and caring
for their families, 70 branch out and
take illigitimate chances II tempts
young men TO waste their money. and
often to waste the money Of their en-
ployers: IL has made thieves OF many
young men. Men take the money which
ought 20 60 20 their wives and families
and hand il over 10 these professional
bOozmakers, who carry il away with
them. And who benefits by these people
coming here They don't buy anything
Maybe the hotels get q little prOht. but
that's about all. and it's a pretty eX-
pensive price 70 pay fo- the privilege
Of having some horse races twice a
year.
In my opinion. The whole thing should
be stopped. but II people want 10 see
horses race. we'll and good. but let them
see them without betting on them. There
Is no doubt that public betting Is Illegal
and q ought 10 be stopped: and am
sure that every business man in Wash
ingt0n viii agree with me that the city
would be much better or II II We're stGF-
ped. I hope that al the coming race
meeting the bOOkmakers viii not De al
lowed 10 carry on their trade
Fosters No Legitimate Business
". II. Moses. Of the firm Of w b
Moses & Son. 100 F street. says. 'I do
not see that there can be any two opin-
ions among the business men Of Wash
a.
making at the race track II we are 10
allow public gambling at all. why should
We turn those who wish 70 gamble over
10 the mercy OF & lot of professional
gamblers who travel with the horses from
town TO town and make their profits out
Of the citizens. The whole race-meeting
business Is q doubtful blessing to any
city. II does not foster any legitimate
business; il does no one any good it
creates an artificial holiday atmosphere.
Unsettles young men who are profitably
employed, and tempts them to indulge IN
a sport OF which they know nothing and
20 gain experience Of which is costly.
think it is absurd 20 say that there IS no
law under which they can be stopped
Why. if the police know Of a quiet game
of poker being played for money stakes
in hotel or a private house. they can
break il up and yet they say they can't
stop this public betting II that is the
law, the sooner il is changed the better.
The business OF bookmaking has been
carried on TOO long here. year after year.
and 4 is a disgrace 70 the city. The po-
lice found II easy enough 20 break up
the handbook system Of betting on races
that We're run out Of town. I'd like TO
know why they cant stop the betting
done on races that are run here. Il can
be done If there is a public demand that
IL should be done. and Il seems TO me
that IL IS the interest OF every bona-fde
business man Of Washington 10 see that
the gambling IS stopped
Blot Upon Capitals Good Name.
Mr. Percy 5. Foster. business manager
Of Sanders < SJayman. 1927 F street. SAYS:
I am heartily and wholly in accord
with The Washington Herald's efforts 10
do away with the gambling at the race
track. which, for years. has been a blot
upon the good name OF the nations Capi-
tai I am. OF course. opposed 10 all forms
OF gambling. but I think that gambling
against the men who make books on the
races is the silliest. as il is one OF the
most tempting forms Of gambling. II Is
that very many Of the alleged
horse races are not run honestly. and the
fact that these bookmakers travel from
city to city. paying the various Jockey
clubs large sums for the privilege Of ply
ing their trade. shows that they EXPECT
to reap their profits from the unsophjstl-
Gated public. The whole body OF people
who come TO Washington during race
meeting time are not the sort 10 help a
city II is sporty element. stabIemen.
helpers. touts. bookmalIers. and black
legs. and the influx OF a body OF people
Of this kind is bound 10 leave its mark
upon Community The fact that men
and boys may go out to the track and
wager their money openly leads many
young man into temptation. II apparent
ly offers him a chance 10 make some
money easily. and il he has not got
money of his own TO wager. he is tempted
to run into debt. OF even tempted 10 steal
For by part. I have high ideals FOR
this city OF Washington. We are set. as
il were on a hill; other cities OF the na-
tiOn look to us and copy from US and
pattern after US. As the Capital Of the
nation it IS our duty to set lofty and
Inspiring example and il must reflect
on the social and moral life of the whole
nation. when. in the very shadow OF The
Capitol. under the eyes of the high Off
cials who quite the nations destinies. this
open and hagrant gambling is carried on.
Il hope sincerely that the whole thing
win be eradcated from this city. we
can very we'll get along without horse
racing. whether it has gambling adjuncts
or not I hope that the conservative busi-
ness men Of Washington will unite in an
effort 20 urge Official action to the end
that the laws against common gaming
may be enforced; the beokmakers re-