The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-04-28
Prominent Chinese Merchant
Discusses the Gambling Ques-
ton Prevalent In Chinatown
UGLY RUMORs ARE AFLOAT
All The Leading Chinese Merchants
Run Gambling and Lottery Games
and Receive a Large Patronage
From the Public.

lhal the leaulnK IntneSe mer'
chants read the Astorian and are in
terested in current events, is evil
deneed by the eageruess manifested
by them to secure che paper early in
the morning 10 see what is published
about gambling. Since the agitation
started, Chinatown has been un.
usually perturbed for fear that the in
nocent pastime indulged in by the
Chinks, assisted by a large number
OF white people, win be interfered
with by the authorities. Probably
one OF the best posted men in China
town, and who is known to be lead
ing spirit among the gambling fra
ternity, aud whose experience in foil
ing police raids is one Of his chief
characteristics, celated to an Astor-
ian representative some Of the inns
and outs and difficulties that beset
the Celestials John, although not
his right name, in answer TO an in
quiry as to gambling, said:
Eyes, most all Chinaman gamble,
and white people too. II white peo,
pie no gamble, business very dull.
Just now business heap good. China
men bosses make good money. At
ter fishing season. Chinese merchants
make heap money. They no work.
no sell goods in stores. not cos,
much to live, smoke hop and sleep
and have vely good time. Poor
Cinnamon who work all summer in
cannerS keep them in plenty Of
money"
This representative OF the gamb-
ing element went into the details
which are interesting to those not
acquainted with the ways and tricks
oi the Chinese which have been al
eyed to be peculiar. He states that
III the leading stores run gambling
games. The dealers pay the store
nan $50 per month for each table
lsed. The number OF tables vary
rom one to three. The average an
lual profit to each gambling house
garies from $4,000 to $1,000, depend
ig to large extent upon the play
ind money received from the white
population, He stated that many Of
he most prominent ladies in AS
oria purchase lottery tickets Occa-
iionaIly the dealer allows some white
woman to win, say $50, and she is so
lated she tells all the neighbors, with
he result that extra help has to be
to wait upon the throng
lnxious to win, From the loss Of
80 the income sometimes runs up
nto the thousands.
Asked ii the merchants or the
lealers paid anyone for the privi.
ege, John said: "bet your life. How
pose Chinaman run game he no pro-
eeted?" He refused to divulge the
lame OF the person or persons receiv.
ng the monthly rake-off, but said it
vas no policeman or sheriff, "jes may
,e one, maybe two white men, catch.
i'm rake-off every month Whether
my Of the protection money goes
nto the hands Of any Of the officials
Ieponent sayeth not, as he did not
nov They only deal with one or
wo men "alle same cousins AS
here are at least 40 gambling and
ottery games running in full blast
n Chinatown, including the numer.
,us fan tan games, and If the protec-
crate receive the same .rake-off as
he city used to, SIS per month for
ach game, someone is making an
ncome of $1,000 per month, and they
ould afford to use a little political
,rease where it would do the most
,ood, or a preparation to dim the
ision Of those entrusted with the en-
orcement Of the gambling laws.
That someone is getting divy out
L the gambling is an admitted fact,
ut who the benehciaries are, is now
he question that is interesting many,
'he Cinnamon no sabe" for fear OF
,eing closed up,
When asked if he were not afraid
4 being closed up, he said; what