The New York herald., 1922-01-15
GAMBLING FRENZY
WAVES IN NATION
a
Treasury Officials See Drop
From S1,O0O,OO0, 900 High
Mark in 1921.
SMALL BETToRs BUSY
Changed Conditions Affect
Amount Involved Rather
Than Number.
Spdtch 20 The NEW YORK fiERALD'
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c., Jan. IL.

bhsuihEeoNs ~ Oss o"sss A~s
The frenzy for gambling which spread
over the United States last year. caus-
mg more than $1,000, 100000 to change
hands according to some estimates, Is
dying down, in the opinion of officials or
the Treasury Department.
Savings deposits are on the increase
in many sections of the country. Mer-
chants report that long standing ac-
counts are being paid. Cash seems more
plentiful throughout the. country. III.
Government reports show. These condi-
tions do not go along with widespread
gambling, officials say.
Opinions Of officials of several depart
ments were sought to-day on the preva-
lenca of gambling in connection with
efforts of professional reformers to OBJ
tain Federal and State legislation
against horse racing. In Maryland the
Legislature is considering a bill to
regulate horse racing and prohibit bet
ting with the machine method. Similar
agitation is going on in other States.
This agitation is a direct result OF the
freedom with which betting and other
forms of wagers went ON Immediately
after the war.
%
Government Officials Silent.
Government officials to-day refuse to
discuss publicly the situation, since
gambling is outlawed by both Federal
and State laws. For officials to recog-
nize the existence OF the practice, even
through discussion, would be an admis-
sion of unwillingness or inability to en-
force the law. That Federal officials
are doing all that is in their power to
curb gambling is their claim. They are
handicapped. however, in taking meas
ures to suppress it directly. Justice
arttr an ha n
continually for violations of Federal
gambling laws. So are operatives OF
the Inspection Bureau of the Post Of
flee Department. This department con-
tinually is investigating schemes to cir
cumvent the anti-lottery law by way OF
the malls.
Against those persons who make books
on horse races. athletic tournaments and
other vehicles of gambling Federal off,
cials have scant power. This is prob
lem for State authorities, it Is said.
That millions OF dollars are being
wagered each year on horse racing is
admitted by officials in all sections.
Bets are placed in almost every city
where telegraphic returns Of race meet
ings are received. Acting as boolimak-
ers are BARRIERS, elevator operators and
starters in big Office buildings. walters
in restaurants and others whose call
lUSS. .DrlnS tneul daily INTO contact WITH
large numbers of persons.
1t is known that women furnish much
of the money which is wagered. Book
makers. according to reports reaching
the Government. like women as custom
ers. The women place bets freely and
are regarded as good losers. IL is said.
In one city the police recently sup
pressed betting club much frequented
by women. In many places tea rooms
are being used primarily, it is suspected.
10 attract women who wish to place
wagcrs.
Millions in Friendly Games
Additional millions are lost and won
in friendly games" each year. In this
connection. the game between neighbors
and bona fide acquaintances are not
considered. BY friendly game is
meant the playing with cards and dice
IN hotel rooms in many large cities by
men who are comparatively strangers.
The game usually is organized by a
man masquerading as a travelling sales
man anxious to 'get some boys together
TO while away the evening In most
cases these game organizers are profess
sional gamblers who plan to victimize
those with whom they scrape acquaint-
ance In lobbies OF big hotels. In some
cases hotel officials know what is going
on. In many instances the entire pro-
ceeding is staged without their knowl-
edge. Professional gamblers OF the more
intelligent type who operate friendly
games make IT point 20 move rap
idly from one hotel to another. This
makes IL difficult for the police to get
evidence.
The permanent gambling house has
been almost completely put out of bust
ness throughout the United States, Fed
cral officials believe, as a result of the
activity of state authorities. II was thus
that gambling fourished in the bis
cities up to ten years ago
Despite the effective discouragemen
OF the permanent gambling house, prob
ably more persons are engaging ir
wagers than formerly. II is believed
Allowances must be made. IL Is pointed
out. because of the circulation OF mors
money the presence OF large foreign pop
ulations in Industrial cities and the gen
orally high n standards of income.
Continuous vigilance by locel and Fed
eral authorities. however. Is meetin,
with moro success. 1t is declared. TIT
frenzy OF gambling of 1918 and 1919 wal
partly a result of economical and social
conditions, which were temporary, it 4
believed. That these conditions are nov
passing is felt TO be certain.
INTERCITY LUNCHEON BY
ETETu AUE ACCnrT TI<1A