East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-05-04
SOCIETY WOMEN
IN POKER GAMES
NEW YORK WORLD SAYS
CHURCH WOMEN GAMBLE
Oergymen Admit That Practice Pre-
walls, But Say Il Is Deplorable and
that No Self-Respecting Women
Indulge-Little Attempt Made to
Deny Gatherings In Fashionable
Apartments and Uptown Hotels
Games Run Nightly.

The exposure of the New Yori
World OF the poker craze that hal
taken hold of New York women caus
ed much uneaslness in the many
small circles in which games have
been running nightly.
Little attempt was made to deny
the gatherings in fashionable apart
ments and uptown hotels. That chips
have clicked with the regularity OF
clock ticks in many apartments, un-
der the cover of informal afternoon
teas, clerks and bell boys we'll know
Among the clergy the revelation
that members of the fashionable
churches were entertaining" on green
cloth tables came as great surprise
but only In the extent Of the practice.
Several preachers after service ex-
pressed their opinion on the subject
Deplorable, Says DIR. Burcll.
The Rev. David James Burrell
pastor of the Marble Collegiate Re-
formed church at Fifth avenue and
Twenty-ninth street, said he was op-
posed to gambling in any form. and
that the practice among women is de-
plorable.
II know there is much of 1t going
he said. "but no self-respecting wo-
man will play poker or gamble in any
form"
The Rev. George Clark Peek Of st.
Andrews church In West Seventy
sixth street, near Columbus avenue,
said
81 am not astonished that women
OF the west side have taken to poker
and bridge. They have so much time
on their hands that they have turn
ed to cards. II is difficult to believe
they would resort to such a practice.
Like a woman smoking 1t is bad
enough for a man to gamble; but far
worse for woman to do So"
The Rev. william Shaefe Chase
rector OF Christ Episcopal church at
Bedford and Davidson avenues, Will
liamsburg, who was one OF the active
crusaders against Sunday shows and
racetrack gambling, said:
MY attention was called to the ar
ticle in the World today by one OF my
parishioners. know there is much
card gambling among women going
CT. I fear race track gambling has
educated women in this sort OF game
OF chance. Il is one reason why race
track betting is more dangerous to
the community than the poolrooms
are. Women never would have gam
bled had II not been for the race
tracks. wish II could be broken
up.
Il believe distinction should be
drawn between private betting and
the business OF betting. The law new
er touches those who wager privatel,
but ] think those who tempt others
to gamble, particularly women. ought
TO be punished"
No Self-Respecting Woman CANDLES,
Mrs. Clarence Burns said she had
read with much interest and aston
ishment the article I'm the World.
Il feel sure that the craze has ta-
ken hold OF only certain class OF
women" she said. "Undoubtedlv
there is much gambling going on
among women. They are taken in by
the attending excitement of the game
and the chance of winning, but not
for long. After the first III luck they
attempt to retrieve their losses and
then awake to their folly.
"I do not think for moment
however, that women OF any standing
play any part in the game. No self
respecting woman would sit down at
table and gamble. No one need
fear that gambling will ever invade
the real New York homes.
For my part l do not believe In
games of chances of any kind where
even pin money is involved. II one
does not care to play cards for skill
or amusement 1t is best to leave them
alone"