New-York tribune., 1920-03-16
Protected Jersey
Gaming Again Laid
Before Governor
Underworld ssWitl, You to
Last Dollar.7' Anti-Saloon
League Tells Edwards in
Repeating Graft Charges

Renewed charges, with specifications,
that protected gambling is rampant in
Jersey City and Hoboken we're filed
with Governor Edwards Of New Jersey
yesterday by Samuel Wilson, assistant
state superintendent the Anti-Saloon
League. Mr.. Wilson declared that "the
next appeal must be to Congress to put
a silencer on the telegraph and telc-
phone companies that are IN collusion
with these robbers"
After naming numerous places in the
two cities where, he asserts, gambling
is permitted, Mr.. Wilson called the
Governors attention to similar COM
plant made on February 10.
Involves 'Political Supporters"
"The specific information that gave
to you was contemptuously waved
aside" said Mr.. Wilson. ain this you
demonstrated the vast gulf that scpa-
rates you from your illustrious predc
cessor in office, who under like circum
stances acted vigorously. Yet | cannot
say that your action surprises me as,
of course, it would have been uncom-
lOItdDle W HdNe tlluS given oiiS'oc W
your political supporters, Mayors Hague
and Griffin, to say nothing of Commits
sioner O'Bren, who is said to be slated
to present your name to the San Fran
cisco convention, and whose duty it is
to suppress crime in Jersey City.
"1n a recent statement you are cred
tied with saying: AS to the gamblers,
the dive keepers and those who come
from vice and ignorance I hope they
are for me- They arc, Mr.. Governor,
to the last dollar.
these vicious conditions exist in
your own county and home city. Pos
sibly your ideals of protecting per
sonal liberty prevent your interference
fleece Jerseymen under protection and
in violation of New Jerseys Constitu-
ton and laws. In this l admit that you
are consistent, but nevertheless if one
of the clerks in your bank, using his
privilege of personal liberty should
contract the gambling habit at these
protected places you might view it
through different spectac!es.
Lull in Racing Sets Tomorrow
SHOULD sense of duty lead you to
repentance might I suggest promptness
as after March II, when the New Or
leans and Havana races stop, there will
be lull in poolrooms until the middle
of April, when the races open in Ken
tuckv and Maryland.
There are like conditions in other
New Jersey cities, but the above are
enough at this time to demonstrate
your wilful official blindness to open
lawlessness. The next appeal must be
to Congress to put silencer on the
telegraph and telephone companies that
are IN collusion with these robbers. y
Mayor Hague of Jersey City was in
Trenton yesterday. At the office of
Mayor Griffin, in Hoboken, it was said
1T was up to the Governor" to make
any reply that Mr.. Wilson's charges
demanded.
Governor Criticizes Informant
Upon receipt Of the complaint, Gov
ernor Edwards sent the following let
ter to Pierre Garvan, Prosecutor of
Pleas of Hudson County
Il lnclose you copy of a letter
sent to me by Mr.. Samuel Wilson, as.
slstant superintendent of the Anti-Sa-
loon League.
If the facts stated in his communi-
cation are correct they prove state
OF lawlessness which should be ended
forthwith, and I trust that YOU will
proceed 70 investigate his charges. AL
though, in 1Gy opinion, he sent me the
letter as a paid agitator of the Anti;
Saloon League, and with the very in
sincere motive Of attempting to fastcn
responsibility upon the Governors Of
flee for local police conditions and de-
sired to interfere with my campaign
TOR personal liberty, yet nevertheless
Whatever may have been the insincerity
OF his motive, if such condition as he
describes exists, it should be the sub
Ject of official action and l therefore
request you to give the matter YOUR
immediate attention.