New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-17
Man. Accused as Gambler at
Polo Grounds, Will Merely
Get an Apology from
Owner Farrell.
PRIVATE SLEUTH BUSY
Crusade Against Bookmakers
At Games Results in Theatri-
cal Men Being Threatened
with Expulsion from
the Ball Park.

TON" ONeil the blond preserver
9 =, the peace who travels around in
,lsin clothes al the Polo Grounds, was
offered 500 by Fred Block, a theatrical
advertising man, TO place the latter
under arrest for betting on the game
between the Yankees and Detroit
Tigers Yesterday afternoon The offer
was proudly refused but so insistent
Uas Mr.. Block in his demands so that
he could get justification in the courts
hat he remained waiting in the club
house 10 be taken into custody, while
o,Neil. who had escorted him across
the field. closed the gates of the park
and put out Of the stadium the hundred
odd witnesses TO what almost became a
fine display Of fsticuffs.
Frank Farrell, owner Of the New
York team. finally persuaded Mr.. Block
not 10 press his request 10 be taken
10 the police station.
Mr.. Block was one Of a party Of half
g dozen members Of the Frairs, among
whom were Willie Collier, Honey
Hoy" Evans. John Hogarty, Ben Hol-
der. ir. Irving Myers. William c. Cam
eron and George Sidney, all well known
in the theatrical world. who became
enneshed in a general cleanup Of
gamblers al the grounds
o'Neil received word early in the day
hat bookmakers from Boston were
descending on the battle-ground by the
Harlem to ply their trade. and since
rranized baseball has taken firm
stand against gambling the guardian
Of morals was instructed TO do his duty.
There was an additional incentive TO
housecleaning in the fact that Ban
Johnson. president Of the league, was
in the stands.
"Abs" Attell Held Up.
O'Nen had no difficulty in "spotting' -
fifteen or twenty habituts Of gamblers
most" back Of third base, who were
barred at the gate. while others who
had entered unobserved were found in
the stand and ordered TO leave the
park. Abe Attell. former feather
weight champion, was held up at the
entrance as suspicious looking char
acter until he established his identity
Now. the cool. airy reaches back o.
third are extensive. and other fans
besides the gamblers were sitting there
among them being VI. Block and other
congen!al spirits who are not averse
now and then 10 making a wager that
Ty Cobb will make a hit when ne
comes 10 bat at a particularly impor-
tant time or taking fier on sam
cravfords striking out. The attentive
ear and eagle eye Of O'Neil were at
tracted 10 the group.
During the game the detective eau
toned Block and his friends not TO
make wagers. and when they talked
back" O'NeiI is said 10 have commented
on their behavior and personalities IN a
manner that did not meet with their
favor Mr.. Block expressed hlmseH
strongly as spokesman.
After the game was over and most oi
the fans" had left the field. Dir.
Flock and the others came down 10
tn. ash the matter out on the diamond.
0Neil summoned three private police
men 10 his aid and the arguments
vaxed hot and heavy. Block demand
Cd an apology from O'Neil and &C.
clared he would report him 10 Frank
Farrell. As it happened, the owner "f
ihs team was sitting at the top OF the
stand back Of third base with Billy
Gibson. manager Of the Garden Atm
Continued on hfth page. fourth column