The Washington herald., 1912-08-07
SYLVESTER INREP[Y'
OFFERS 4 REWARD.
Allegation Of Police "Winking" at
Gambling Stir Head Of
Department.
EVERY DETECTIVE ORDERED
TO RUN DOWN CHARGES
Commissioner Rudolph Declares In
quiry Is Already Under Way
in the District.

As a direct and forceful reply to
charges that the police are permitting
open gambling In the District. Mai
Richard Sylvester. superintendent of the
Police Department, last night climaxed
a day of excitement in the Municipal
Building by offering a reward of 500 for
Information leading to the conviction of
persons conducting a gaming table and
500 for information leading to the con-
viction of policemen guilty of gambling
or permitting gambling.
Confident that the offering of these
rewards is the most forceful expression OF
his belief that the National Capital Is
free from the gambling evil and his po-
iicemen innocent of "winking at wrong.
doing, Mai. Sylvester did not supplement
the announcement OF rewards with q
statement, having previously declared
that the insinuations against the depart.
ment of which he is head to be too ab-
surd to warrant consideration
N Entire Force on Jump.
But Mai. Sylvester lost no time yes
terday In preparations to answer charges
in the event that his department is sub
jected to a searching probe. He mad
hardly reached his Office that orders De-
ban flying in every direction. and half
dn nOur ldIeF. the eutllt utpoA hAAShh was
moving. Mai. Sylvester concentrated his
efforts on the expose of open gambling
In theater lobbies on Sunday afternoon,
which was published In The Washington
Herald yesterday.
Every detective in Central Office as
well as all precinct detectives were de-
tailed to discover in what theater the
gambling was done and what detectives
and policemen were in the theater while
the wagers were being made.
Commissioner Rudolph, who is direct
ing the inquiry into the charges against
the police, co-operated with Major Syl-
vester by issuing the following order to
the heads of the various departments In
the District government in an effort to
ascertain the Identity of the witness TO
the gambling in the theater lobby:
Order to the Chiefs.
You are requested to endeayor to
ascertain at once who is the employe
Of the District government referred to
as having witnessed bookmaking at q
theater in this city last Sunday after
noon, and inform me without delay of
his name or the name Of any other en-
ploye who attended the theater on that
occasion.
mo employe will risk his job by
disclosing any knowledge he may have
in the premises, but will undoubtedly dc
so by remaining quiescent. A District
official who witnesses a fragrant viola
ton of the law as that reported. should
realize that il is his duty under his oath
of office to bring 1t to the attention OF
the authorities
Although the evidence thus far uncov-
cred does not warrant a formal open
hearing before the Commissioners as yet,
pt,da Ia.
clared that inquiry is already under way
to learn whether gambling is permitted
in the District practically unrestrained
by the police. II this preliminary in
quiry shows that the police have been
in collusion with gamblers. a formal
meeting Of the Commissioners will bs
called: