The New York herald., 1921-05-09

although in the same breath the back
ers OF Andrus declare that gambling
is essential TO Saratoga"
Last summer at the request OF the
Chamber OF Commerce, In which the
Bracket faction holds the balance OF
power, Gov. Smith appointed Wyman
s. Bascom a Special Deputy Attorney
General to investigate conditions here
An Extraordinary Grand Jury con-
vened at Ballston during the last racing
season and indicted Andrus and about
forty others in connection with gamb-
ling 1t is charged by the opponents
OF Andrus and his political adherents
the investigation was asked for on the
ground that the youthful element Of
Saratoga was squandering it's earnings
with the bookies doing business along
Broadway and side thoroughfares and
also was playing roulette. faro and other
games in alleged protected spots.
Under the direction of Mr.. Bascom
many raids were made on gambling re-
sorts in Saratoga and vicinity during
August last year. No high class places,
however We're at least found.
Out OF the grist of trials which have
been going on at Ballston since last au-
tumn. Jules Forrnel, New York sport
ing man, is the only person serving a
Jail sentence. He was convicted after
a third trial and sentenced to serve from
one to two years at Dannemora and
pay fine of $1,000.
Nat Evans. who Is considered high
class" player, pleaded guilty last week
and paid a $500 fine Other card specu-
lators of the small fry" variety have
entered similar pleas and have been set
free with fines. A few were convicted
by jury and fined, or their cases are
on appeal.
There are three other indictments
against Mr.. Andrus charging him with
larceny, conspiracy and bribery. the lat
ter two being in connection with alleged
protection Of gamblers. Neglect Of duty
also is charged, because he did not give
information to the police about gambling
or raid places where he had cause TO
believe the laws were violated
The larceny indictment grows out of
the seizure of several cases Of whiskey
and gin by the police back IN 1918 in
q place which had no license. The liquor
was stored at Police Headquarters, and
Judge Andrus asserts the whiskey and
gin were destroyed by his order at the
request of the Internal Revenue Depart
ment. This indictment, however. alleges
Mr.. Andrus gave several bottles to
friends and one James Sullivan, then a
policeman, but since an employee of
Bascom.
The bribery indictment charges Mr.
Andrus with being a party to the pay
ing OF a $3,So0 bribe by Formel. Both
the District Attorney and Formel deny
the charge.
More than a hundred witnesses have
been summoned by the prosecution in
The Andrus case. All of the indictments
were returned against Mr.. Andrus be-
fore last autumn's primaries. which re-
suited in his denomination by an over
whelming majority. He carried Sara
the November election with only one
opponent, the Prohibition candidate
who received few scattering votes
The Democrats Republicans and So
cialists voted solidly for Andrus.
Judge Andrus tonight told reporter
for THE New YORK HERALD that he
would take the stand when called.
Il ain innocent of all these charges, y
said the District Attorney. II am ready
time The fact that the large majoriy
OF voters of Saratoga county elected me
while these indictments were hanging
over my head is indeed q vindicatior
that cannot be overlooked"
William J. Fallon of the law firm OF
Fallon & McGee of New York is to be
chief counsel for Mr.. Andrus, assisted
by County Judge Lawrence +. Nickel
vey, another political opponent OF the
Bracket wing.