Omaha daily bee., 1911-04-30
GAMES TO CATCH The UNWGRY
Makers OF Crooked Devices Interest
Postoffioe Authorities.
WHAT THE CATALOGUES TELL
Use of the Mails 90 Sell Them starts
PrOsecuttOn-How the NRri-
Gus schemes TO DefrRud
Are worked.


The Department Of Justice in Washing
ton has decided that the federal statute
relating TO the use of the mails to detraud
covers the sale of sure thing gambling de-
vices OF various kinds. The postoffice In
spectors here and elsewhere are on the
trail of the manufacturers Of these devices
and will prosecute every case that turns
up.
For some years the manufacturers of
these crooked devices have used the mails
boldly in selling their goods, because they
believed that as the manufacturers they
could not be held for the acts OF persons
who used them to defraud the unwary
public. The postoffice inspectors have had
catalogues and other printed matter sent
out by the manufacturers, but have not
felt justified in proceeding without an opin-
ion from 1.-The Department Of Justice.
One of these catalogues has the following
to say of the device on sale by the firm:
I'VE wish particularly to call your atten-
ton to our transparent work. We load
these goods in the birds eye spot work and
we also load the common, ordinary concave
spot work. This work is executed so clev-
erly that they defy detection. We also
manufacture a transparent bar dice and
buffed transparent dice that will go for
square ninety times out of 100 One Of our
most clever productions in the transparent
line is our adhesive dice. Wise ones will
stand for them, just the same as the
novice"
Concerning brand Of dice called loaded
transparent crap dice" the catalogue says:
I'VE honestly can recommend them for
bankers use and for the protection of
your game Players have confidence when
shooting with a pair of these dice, because
they can see through them. They do not
excite suspicion. The work is there, but 1t
cannot be soon"
Tools for Sharpers.
Among the useful articles the firm has
for sale are amalgam and celluloid rope for
loading dice, ink for marking cards, thumb
nail pricks, and "daubers for marking
cards while in play" There are "reflec-
tors made to fit on ring" burrs for
drilling dice, shears with micrometer at
tachment to cut piece off a card no wider
than the thickness of sheet of tissue
paper, corner FOUNDERS and full instruc-
lions for using all the devices
Holdout machines, designed to reach out
from a gamblers sleeve. lift up a card
and hold it up the sleeve until needed
are advertised in great number and va
riety. Some of them work by chest ex-
pansion, some by arm pressure, some by
lifting or Strengthening the leg, and others
in mysterious ways which are kept secret
You can go and come with your hand
fiat on the table while your opponent is
calling your bet is said of one OF these
devices, which is warranted to work noise
lessly and can be worn with a white or
flannel shirt.
Poker tables with the holdout contriv-
ance built into them may also be pur-
chased, and they are warranted to stand
the closest inspection.
One of the features of the catalogue is a
holdout with a mirror attachment by
which the player can read his opponents
cards as they are dealt to him. Another
is concealed in a pocketbook which the
manufacturer says may be laid on the
table before the player without arousing
suspicion. A slight pressure on the pocket
book causes a mechanical hand to creep
out. grasp the card wanted and carry it
back in hiding.
Concerning a holdout continuance which
costs only s96 the manufacturer says:
Nothing suspicious, no unnatural moves
no strings or rubbers to break and spoil
the machinery at the critical moment A
1O-year-old boy could work it on a profess
Cigar store HOIdup.
The firm handles an attractive article
for cigar stores 1t is an electro magnet
and works with transparent dice on the
cigar case. The machine is in the shape
OF the ordinary cigar moistener usually to
be found in cigar cases. and 1t works this
way:
I'm order to make a big throw all you
haxr 70 40 L.
and throw the dice over the spot where
the magnet is concealed. You can better
almost any throw that your opponent
might make and this with the same dice
he uses and without any juggling of the
dice or the box. You put the dice in the
box and toss them out in a careless way.
The dice roll perfectly natural at all times
and no one can see any difference when
the current is on, only in the size of the
hands thrown. The current is neither
heard seen nor felt"
The magnet is also made for persons who
do not run cigar stores. The attachment
can be screwed under an ordinary table
on which dice games are played. The
firm sells "dice-tops" which come high"
when spun one way, and come low" when
whirled in the opposite direction.
NohScIhluB q CEOOheu Wneel OIIefe0, the
firm says: Have operated it ourselves
for the last two years to the entire salts
faction of ourselves and every one asso-
ciated with u.s."
1t Is claimed that this wheel can be
stopped at any space desired and the
maker guarantees that detection is i'm
possible. OF another wheel the cata-
logue says:
This spindle has the most perfect creep
ever made, next to perpetual motion. The
only controlled spindle made without a
gaff. We guarantee detection impossible
Every leg squeeze. Yet all legs are fair
as the tripod is on solid casting"
These good words are spoken for the
Straight pin set spindle; stops natural;
looks natural; can be made to come prize
or blank at will; can be turned either way
to win or lose. No suspicious moves
Nothing unnatural. VIII be allowed to run
anywhere and always get a play"
The firms leader for 1910" is the ''balI
spindle." Is ssfha only anin5I. 4