The Cairo bulletin., 1912-08-02
POLICE SHAKE
Up THREATENED
| BY CHIEF E|CAN
Reorganization Of Force May Re-
suit from Expose Of Gambling
| Game
GUILTY OFFICERS MUST co
Denies ''Trust' Existence. Says
| Gamblers are Seeking
Revenge
GUILTY OFFICERS MUST co

4 re0rsanizaticn OF the P0Hce Les
partment, as the result Of dis
closures made since the issuance or
the two gambling warrants, is
threatened. by Chief of Police Egan.
Chief Egan declared yesterday to q
representative of The Bulletin that
he would conduct an investigation
in an effort to ascertain whether or
not the policemen on the beats had
or should have had knowledge OF
gambling games In saloons.
IF find that the policemen knew
games were In progress on their
beats, they will be dismissed from
the service" Chief Egan declared.
IF there has been any gamp.ing "A
Cairo have had no personal knpwl-
edge Of it. depend upon the men
under me to do their duty and 1t is
my intention to see that instructions
are obeyed. Every policeman has in
structions to make arrests when
gambling Ii found and those who
sail In this will be fired"
Chief Egan said he was informed
that u policeman knew OF the ex-
istence of the game at Heinie's sa-
Iloon and that when he questioned
the officer general denial of the
charge was made.
II was informed that two police
men stood over the bar and shook
the box. but they denied 1t" the
chief declared 1T Is a hard matter
to stop all of the games, because OF
the fact that most OF them are mere
| iy social games. started by few
men for pastime. These games lead
up to big games and hereafter card
playing In saloons for money will
not be tolerated"
No Trust" Chief Says.
Chief Egan emphatieally denied
that a gambling trust" exists In
Cairo, and he also denies the charge
that he was In Rudy" Laurent's sa-
loon at any time when a gambling
game was In progress
"The gamblers are piqued because
we have not permitted them to open
up their games and run as they did
in former years, he said, II have
arrested several OF them on frequent
occasions and they don't like me.
They are apt to say anything that
would embarrass me. They know
that the publication of the charge OF
any sort against me. despite what I
might say about it or whether | am
innocent, the publicity would hurt
me. / have not permitted the
gambling to open up and skin the
suckers and that's why they are do
ing so much talking now"
Chief Egan said he was informed
that game was in progress over
Brackley's saloon at Thirty-fourth
and Sycamore streets several months
ago. II went up TO sec Braeklev
about 1t and he took me upstairs"
Chief Egan said. There was moth
ing for them to play on and II they
did shoot dice, they must have played
on the floor"
Chief Egan says the police are
greatly handicapped In their work OF
suppressing gambling for the reason
that the sporting blood is 70 strong
in some Of Cairo's reputable citizens
that they will take almost any kind
of a chance to satisfy their desire
| for excitement. The men on the
beats, he said do not feel justified In
arresting men for indulging In a So
cial game. with Just enough money
in 1t to make II interesting These
games, however, frequently lead TO
big wagers, the chief declared,
Chief Egan says the present meth
cd OF changing the beats OF the var
. ious policemen at certain intervals
has not been entirely satisfactory.
Hereafter policemen will be Kept On
the same beat and held accountable
for all violations OF the law. THE
policemen. under the present ar
rangement. have many opportunities
of shifting blame Chief Egan said.
sThs system will be changed at
(Concludea on PaSA Twos