New Britain herald., 1917-01-27
LANDAU FINED 500
IN GAMBLING CASE
Owner Of Candy Store Also Pays
for Giving Boys Tobacco


scheme SO termed by himself, to
stimulate trade at his confectionery
and tobacco store at $40 Main street,
was not approved by Judge James T.
Mesklll in police court today when
fines of SIS and costs were imposed
on each of four counts charging vio-
lation of the statute relative to gift
enterprises. The envelope game"
punch board and playing checkers
with money involved were cited In the
evidence. An additional fine of $40
and costs was imposed for giving to-
baoco to a minor. Attorney A. A,
Greenberg appeared for the defense
and had difficulty in handling his eli
ent. Bonds for an appeal were fixed
at 5000.
The charge of furnishing Joseph
Gernenski of 81 Sexton street, a
minor, with tobacco was brought dur
ing the hearing as a result of the tes-
timony against Landau. In the tes-
timony of the four boys appearing
against the accused, the statement
was made that Landau gave them
cigars and asked them not to "squeal"
on him to the authorities. Prose-
cutting Attorney George w. Klett i'm
mediately filled out a warrant charg-
ing violation Of the statute governing
the furnishing Of tobacco to minors.
Landau pleaded guilty.
Warned by Judge.
Landau persisted in injecting ex-
planatory remarks during the sum-
ming up of the case by Prosecuting
Attorney K1ett and Attorney Green
berg Finally, as he attempted to
assist the latter, Judge Meskill di
rected him to keep quiet as his coun-
sci was doing all that anyone could
do for him. He then subsidized.
Landau said that at the time he
was conducting the envelope scheme,
he did not believe it was wrong as
merchants throughout the city are
conducting similar schemes. Since it
had been brought to his attention and
official action taken, he testified,
there has been a conversion to the
belief that it is wrong. He appeared
penitent. Judge Meskill remarked
that he does not believe the accused
or anyone else in the city is giving
away somthing for nothing.
According to the testimony of the
boys, Andrew Bolinsk of 1853 Grove
street, Joseph Gernenski of 81 Sexton
street, John Tutko of 12S Beaver
street and John Majowicz of IA Gill
bert street, the schemes com bining an
element of chance had proved pop
ular with them and were we'll patron
lied. The envelope scheme, each en-
velope costing a cent. might and, ac-
cording to the boys, generally did,
call for a half cents worth of candy
There might be much more won.
Landau said that this game was so
arranged that, by combining all the
envelopes, the thirty per cent. profit
on the candy figuring in the trans
action was evenly divided between
himself and his patrons. 1t was con-
tended that it was a stimulant to
trade and a prott-sharing device.
Sort of bonus?' inquired Judge
Meskill and Attorney Greenberg
agreed that it was "A come-on bo-
NUS was the comment of Prosecutor
Klett.
The punch board game" is too
familiarly known to need description.
1t was also testified by the boys that
checkers has been a popular diver
sion at the store.
! Inc checkers, according to the tes-
| tlmony, was for five cents a game, the
| pow vi pldylnS against 'tho mouse.
! Inc boys and Landau agreed that. if
| the mousse won, the five cents went
| 10 puy cigar, soda or some article Of
trade. If the patron won, he was al
lowed to take out five cents in trade.
| But according to Landau in response
| to questioning by Prosecutor IIett, he
| has played checkers for about II years
| and he admitted that he is called a
| pretty fair player. What success
have boys playing against you, asked
! prosecutor lett and then inquired as
to his capacity for sodas, cigars, etc
| Attorney Greenberg contendcd that
the system Of the loser paying for the
game is not at all different from the
policy adopted in pool rooms where
! the loser pays. "It is gambling never
| the1ess,' commented Judge Meskill
The boys testified that they had
! been accustomed to spend from fifteen
to seventy-fve cents, sometimes a
| little more, in a visit to the Landau
store.
It was admitted that mem bers Of
the "Gas House" and other gangs have
| been hanging about the Landau store
or nearby. According to Prosecutor
! klett the place has been under police
suspicion for some time and there have
been mum erous written and vcrba
| com plants.