Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-03
CHINESE RAID
PROVES FUTILE
CAREFULLY LAID PLAN OF THE
POLICE IS USELESS
SQUAD DEsCENDS ON ALLEGED
GAMING JOINT
Now "StooI Pigeon" Named David
son Is Being Sought For by
the Officers for an
Explanation

| carefully planned raid\ on an alleged
gambling den at b12 Los Angeles street, in
the Chinatown district. failed to produce re-
suits last night because, Il Is believed, the
raid was tipped off to the Chinese In charge.
The place has been under surveillance of
the Chinatown squad for long time, and
ehorts to obtain evidence against the alleged
gamblers have been futile.
ID. B. Davidson, who has been employed by
the police to gain evidence, reported to Ser
geant Sebastian that last night the proper
tine for the raid, and plans were made ac-
eordingly.
squad of eight men entered the place,
which is in the of restaurant owned
by Norman Wing. Some Of the raidng party
were armed with axes and sledge hammers
te enable them to break in the doors II
necessary.
Half Of the squad entered through the drug
store Of Gen Wing Tong 514 North Loss An
gees street, and the others at No. 5l2 both
of which places connected with the rooms
in which the gambling games supposed
/ to be conducted.
No Use for Axes
Tho raiders did not have occasion to use
the hammers or axes, and greeted with
smiles by o number of celestlals The doors
were wide open, and one lone Chinese and a
/ white the occupants OF the rear
room.
Davidson. who was supposed to be present
at a game to obtain evidence. was not about
Search was made for evidence, and all that
secreted In the stove pipe Of an old stove In
the room.
1t Is said that Davidson, who is not mem
I ber of the police department, denied that he
tipped off the raid and that he tried to warn
tho raiding party that last nights raid would
be useless
The police do not credit his story Davidson
was working and being paid from the police
secret service fund. Talk of arresting him was
made, but Just what action will be taken
was not decided upon last night.
1t is said that a number of prominent white
persons have been interested in the alleged
gambling joint, and the raid planned at
a time when they were supposed to be in at
tendance. From investigation It was found
that ten minutes before the raiders appeared
a number of persons were In the room but
that o message was received and all fed
taking with them all evidence Of gambling
before the arrival OF the police.
Barricaded Like Fortress
That the room is or has been used for
gambling purposes seemed evident, It was
barricaded as strongly q modern fortress
Doors six inches thick with heavy iron bolts
and locks we're found, vas also cleverly
arranged trapdoor In the ceiling operated
by rope ngenlousy hidden behind disap-
pearing bed.
II Is said the trapdoor is used to hurriedly
dispose OF gambling evidence in case of a
raid by placing It on the shoot and sending 1t
to another room upstairs, where 1t is quickly
disposed OF. .
The room was filled with smoke, denoting
that II had been occupied by number of
parsons but a short time eefore the raiders
entered In the room was a trunk owned by
w. b. Toy, who is said TO be the manager or
the dive, A searching investigation VIII be
made I'm an attempt to md the person VINO
diyulged the raid.