New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-09-17


Mr.. Mitchell. and IN tive specific IN
stances in West SD and SD streets con-
dfttons have only been aggravated by
the steps taken by the Police Depart
ment''
with only six men from the once Oh
the Commissioners OF Accounts INC
same investigators with which he re-
Gently disclosed the laxity of the ponce
in the Coney Island situation, Mr-
Mitchell was able in the course OF a lie"
DAVIS 10 secure actual evidence OF open
rambling in eleven distinct places, ana
in the same time with merely cursory
investigation of affairs. he discovered
aver half hundred disorderly places.
"Tbe particular complaints, together
with many others not transmitted 10
vour Office" Mr. Mitchell wrote TO Com
missioner Baker. have been lnvesu-
gated by inspectors under my Greet
supervision with the result that IL rs
apparent TO me that the police are
greatly derelict in their failure TO en-
force the law in these respects. My eS-
animation shows not only that pool
rooms are in open operation but that
other forms OF gambling abound
throughout the city and are practised
with apparent assurance Of security on
the part Of managers Of the resorts
Crowds Gambling Openly.
In some Of the places operated under
the eyes of the police Mr.. Nitchels in
yestigators found as many as two hun
dred men congregated- all engaged in
With the enforced absence of Mayor
Caynor. as was pointed out in a letter
10 The Tribune few days ago. the po-
lice of the city have seemed to realize
that there was not such firm hand
over them as before. and were acting
accordingly. From his activities yester
dav. however. Mt. Mitchell has demon
strated that he means to spur on the
police 20 action
I believe he said, in response TO an
insinuation that he seemed TO have
little faith in the Police Departments
work on the present trouble that the
uniformed force cf this city is amply
able to cope with the situation as TO
pen solicitation in the streets. and I
t.elieve and know, as does practically
very Vel Informed person in the city,
that the inspectors and captains if they
see fit 10 do II, can prevent the opera
ZION Of gambling houses and keep pros
ii;ution in this city within decent
bounds
Mitchell Practically Takes Charge.
The acting Mayor was asked last night
whether in view OF his fiat arraignment
n The Police Departments work on the
matter in hand he felt that he ought to
ask for Commissioner Bakers reslgna-
ton. and he responded that he did not
think any one holding another's posi-
ton temporarily should dismiss or en-
cage any Official except for "a very. very
grave reason.
In his letter 10 Commissioner Baker
i.o1-eyer. the acting Mayor practically
took charge Of the Police Department at
least in regard 20 the handling OF the
matters disclosed by his OWN investig2-
ton.
..Yor will At once place on trial the
responsible officers in the SD street
case" he wrote to Mr.. Baker. land IN
ANY other cases where YOU can prove
notice. and you viii. further take such
stops SIS in your judgment may be neces-
sary 10 cope with the situation
He pointed out that the full respon-
.il,ilit- for conditions rested upon the
Police Commissioner. and suggested that
tho following remedies be Immediately
md effectively applied, quoting first in
full Sections 913 and 1146 of the penal
law. which relates to gambling and dis
orderly places:
I suggest" wrote Mr.. Mitchell I'D
that YOU Immediately serve personal
notice upon each owner or agent of the
premises named in the accompanying
schedule marked Schedule A, Of the
character of the occupancy of his house;
90 that You at The same time transmit
1o tho District Attorney a notice Of the
character OF these premises and of your
action in notification to the owners; 90
that You cause continued Investigations
and inspections 20 he made To determine
whether the nuisance continues upon the
premises. and that If You find = contin-
i1ancc vou forthwith notify the District
Attorney and place in his hands the eyi-
dencc thereof, "a that you cause to be
inspected the premises contained in the
accompany ing schedule snarked Schedule
Y which have not yet been investigated
3v my inspectors, and that you adopt
thc same method = ith respect tc notice
% al parties ~ above outlined; 90 that
YOU cause 70 have Immediately prepared
"a list ot all known az suspected gambling
houses ar pool rooms within the city Of
Nov York. and that You transmit to
~1ch District Attorney Of the counties
lyinC Within The city separate list Of
she premises Of this character located
within MS respective jurisdiction.
Furnishes List OF Resorts.
Tho schedules accompanying this let
tor contained lists Of all known or sus-
rected -@5nblinc places and dis"rderiy
riaco- which have been called TO the
-1tention Of the acting Mayor, with
streets. numbers and owners names.
In6cr tho sections OF the penal law
quoted the owner Of such a place be-
comes guilty Of n nisdeme apor if he
continues n rent his house for such
purpose after having received official
roiice ~ iIlc character Of the place.
Copies Of the lists viii be furnished 10
The District Attorney to-day, though