The Washington times., 1912-07-22
POSTPONE HEARING
OF CH|NAMEN FOR
PLAYING FAN-TAN
Celestials Planning to Put
Up Contest on Gambling
Charge.

World which prohibit the playing Of,
Chinese fap-tan, twenty-five of the
celestials from Washingtons China
town. arrested shortly after midnight
at 346 Pennsylvania avenue northwest,
will appear in Police Court Wednesday
morning. They were released on bond
in Police Court this morning. They
asked for a postponement, which was
granted.
The principals, Lee Wing and All
Wong, In whose premises the police
found big game Of fan-tan
going. would not be allowed to forfeit
their bond, Il was announced this morn
ing. but must stand trial 1t was re-
garded as doubtful whether many Of the
others would appear.
The raid on the game verged on the
spectacular. For three hours police
men waited in the rear of the prem
lies In order to get in quietly and to
appear in the gambling room before
any Of the players could disappear. The
game was going on in a subcellar un-
der the store with Lee Wing and All
Wong use for their importing business.
This subcellar is small room not
more than ten feet square and the table
and the twenty-five Chinese assembled
poOhoo tue Tootn dimOst 10 suHocation.
Going Full Blast.
The police had heard of this gambling
room before and they desired to catch
It going in full blast. SO about 8 O'Clock
last evening Detective Harry Evans,
Lieutenant James Duvall. and inspector
r. A. Saunders essayed the task. They
made their way to the rear Of the
premises.
A two-story stable stands behind the
building in the basement of which the
fan-tan game has been operated.
Gaining access TO the second story of
this stable the police passed through
the front door of this building and
found themselves in a small court
directly back of Lee Wing and All
Wong's place. The rear door of the
main building is a solid affair, and
locked with chains on the inside. It
appears specifically designed to resist
intruders.
Until midnight the three policemen
waited hidden in the court. Then the
rasp Of a key turning in the lock
was heard and the creak of hinges.
A gigantic Chinaman, All Lee Song,
one of the big Cantonese occasionally
seen in this country, emerged. All
chance cruel and capricious and
wearying Of the game had decided to
In Policemen's Arms.
Ah Lee quickly found himself lock-
ed IN the arms of two big policemen.
A large hand spread over his mouth
and the nose Of a revolver pressed
against the side of his head consti-
tuted q peremptory command to be
silent. All Lee obeyed.
The captured Chinaman was escort
ed back to the stable at the rear Of
which other policemen took him in
charge. Then the trio who had grown
cramped waiting three hours for their
chance, entered the open back door Of
the main building with two or three
additional officers reinforcing them,
Down narrow passageways they CROP
ed and suddenly burst into the dim
ly lighted gambling room.
While Lieutenant Duvall stood on
guard at the door. one of the other
policemen was sent back to the stable,
and police. waiting there called two
patrol vehicles, the automobile patrol
Of the Sixth. Then the still surprised
Cinnamon were escorted up the stairs
and into the wagons.
Released on Bond.
At the Sixth precinct station house
the principals, All Wong and Lee Wing,
were required to give bond in the sum
Of $500. The others were released on
putting up $40 collateral each.
The police gathered In the fan-tan
layout. and about $40 in dimes, nick els,
and quarters.
Washington's Chinatown is buzzing
with talk Of the raid today. and many
incense sticks are being burned in the
joss houses. Imprecations innumerable
devils" who spoiled a perfectly good
gambling game conducted in q win
dowless subcellar, where the mercury
stood above the hundred mark.