The Alaska daily empire., 1914-12-19
DEVICES OF HAN
 ARE G1

Tho lay of tho dice and the slot machine this morning was "Pleaae I go Way and Let Me Sleep"
 The "bingle kings are caahins in their metal and the only ghost of tho palmy days ol yesterday is tho few i freezeout hands that arc being played In the card rooms of local cigar om, porlums flor goods only"
 Yesterdays order of the United States marshals office to put out Of commission all slot machines and games Of chance. has been fully com piled with At eight o'clock last night slot machines were turned 10 the wall; this morning they were not in sight, and no seizures oi parapher- nalia have been reported to the fed eral officers.
 It is generally expected that tho next move of the authorities win be l the suppression Of games behind clos ed doors 1tis said that there are seg- eral games running One Front street "cigar store" is said to have been running Q fiourishing game Of poker and blackjeck for several months in the rear of tho "store' This eslob- lishments orders to wholesalers are principally playing cards, it is said. On @ recent boat the innocent looking cigar store bought nearly thousand decks Of playing cards.
 Mr. Reagan'a Statement
 In response to many inquiries. Dis rict Attorney Reagan made tho fol- lowing statement his af.ernooons
 3efefring Co lhe reports of 3lo-re- cent grand juries in this Division with I reference to gambling, section 2oS2 og the Compiled Laws of Alaska de- claros that any game played with cards, dice, or any other device, wheth- CT tho same shall be played for mon ey checks, credit or any other rel resentatiye of value, is gambling. And under the Act of Congress, of August 2i, 1912, the United States marshal or any of his deputies, or any con stable or police officer is required to seize and destroy all instruments and devices of whatever kind used in gam bling or for gambling purposes.
 Tn further explanation Of tho stat utory definition of gambling, gamb- ling is defined by the lexicographers as follows: TO play game for mon ey or other stake; to lose or sQuan- der by gambling.
 Therefore. it is manifest, without further explanation, that any game of any kind played for stolSo of any value Of any kind is gambling This would include not only games for money but games played in saloons, pool rooms, cigar stores, billiard rooms, or other places for trade or trade checks; the allowing of games to be played even for the purpose of determining who shall pay for the use of table whereon the game is played. is contrary to the statute; and those participating in such games and the proprietors of places allow ing the same, are guilty of violating the law in this respect
 "This statement ought to be sufilc- tent for tho guidance Of the citizens of this Division with respect to gam bling"
 What Marshal Says
 As to playing cards for trade, a federal official said to The Empire this mornings
 Playing cards for bingles, cigars, drinks. or anything of value or rep resentative of value, is against the law. Liquor dealers would be using ordinary discretion Go banish any sort of card game from the saloon, no it is bound to be looked upon with suspicion aithought indulged in as a ! mere amusement
 Certain saloons have been gioiat- l ing the Sunday closing law, 50 t has l been complained. It is my opinion, ! those saloons are scratching away at | Eans earlier grave for themselves and ! the more law-respecting saloons, with i the money won by such violations. 1 They may escape punishment for yio- lation of this law but in tho mean .Iwhile they are flirting with complete i destruction. Keeping open ou Sun day for card games, and even work ing about the premises Is not within the spirit Of the Sunday closing iaw. If the saloon is to exist it must pre- serve the respect oi public opinion las well as keep within the law
 Or W. v. Council and 5r. C. |. Hsle, both of who marc well known physieians of Cordova, are passengers aboard De Manposa enrouLe to tho