New-York tribune., 1918-02-01
Principal Operators in the
Hotel Belt Fiere See Ad-
vantages in Change
Swann's Men Busy
Prosecutor Expects to Begin
Presenting Evidence in
Court Next Week

Still in doubt as to the extent TO
which District Attorney Swann's gam
bling crusade will interfere with their
business, the more important knights
OF the green cloth who have been oper-
ating in the hotel belt see in West
chester County a safe haven't the
worst comes. The difference between
I" "estchester roadhouse and Broad
way hotel, they argue, is about an hour
IN fast automobile, with the ndvan-
tago that in one Of these secluded
places tricks can be worked that might
be impossible within hailing distance
of Broadway.
Plucking their victims in Wcstches-
ter is not exactly new venture with
the group who have been working she
big hotels, though it is summer
rather than winter sport. There arc
many tales told in the Tenderloin of
big games played in the territory
north Of The Bronx in which visitors
to New York have lost large rolls.
AT the worst they figure that in a
few months various beach resorts on
Long Island will be available for oper-
atlons. These places have advantages
over Broadway in warm weather, and
there have been some big games in
constant operation. One not far from
Long Beach, run almost exclusively for
Wall Street men and politicians, is
reputed to have nettcd fortune for
its hacker last year.
Evidence Is Accumulating
District Attorney Swami said yester-
day that he expected to begin present
ing evidence to Judge Wadhams about
the middle Of next week. In the mean
time evidence is accommodating in his
Office. Most Of this, he said has to do
with small games in which, however,
the actual harm done is immensely
greater than in the games where fort
unes are staked.
"The small games, where mechanics
and others of small means are wont
to leave their wages each week, cause
an immense amount Of suffering among
women and children" said he. "Some
of the stories sent in here are heart
rending."
Mr.. Swami said that he had one COM
plant Of we'll known Washington man
enticed into Broadway game while
drunk and held prisoner twenty-four
hours in an effort to extort $4,000
from him.
"Thc man had been dining very we'll
in a restaurant in Forty second Street"
said he, "and then, full Of wine, was
taken to game. lie went to sleep
after losing what cash he had-some
$1,000. When he awoke he was told he
had lost 100000, and checks for that
amount were demanded. lie refused,
and then it was suggested that he give
notes. This he refused to do, and then
threats were made Of suits to recover.
"Ths kept up for tWenty-four hours
then he was turned loose. He went to
Washington, where firm of lawyers
threatened to sue him for the amount
claimed, emphasis being laid on the
disgrace which would follow suit. His
counsel countered with blackmail
charge. and the matter was allowed to
drop"
In this case, Mr.. Swami intimated,
counsel for the victim had made the
complaint and offered to assist i'll any
prosecution
Another case reported involved loss
Of 1000 by we'll known New Yorker.
He gave up $4,000 in cash and gave
notes for the balance. These notes he
has since refused to honor. In neither
Of these cases would Mr.. Swami men
ton names, but ne insisted that the
Washington man is not a public official
Inspector Costigan, with sixteen men,
was at work under the District Attor-
ney's directions yesterday. 1t is under
stood that for the present they will
contine their attentions to the SO called
hotel belt, the East Side being covered
by members Of the District Attorney S
staff Of OrOceSS SerVcrS.