New-York tribune., 1922-10-01

IS the graft.
rio Term Circus Graft
Has Wide Application
Tns graft Is a term that may apply TO
mme or less legitimate lines. II refers to the
Concessions that travel with the shows, and in
particular the games Of chance-the shell
games and the betting games in general,
where, through a well-organized system Of
boosting and spelling, the hesitating prospect,
Or achump" as we called him In those early
days, is finally induced to lay down his money
without having had word spoken directly to
lin Also it covers the short-change men,
artists In their line-who, by long-practiced
leight-of- hand, can fool the most wary
All this graft is greatly restricted to-day
With most Of the big circuses, but there are
still shows that play it about as strong as Ia
my time. In fact, to-day, as then, there are
circuses which do not take in as much at
the tent shows legitinately as the grafters
take in along moro or less ulegitimate lines.
Soma men have made so much money ont Of
graft that they have become circus proprietszs..
Others have retired from active business with
fortunes.
The old Bit. & Virgins Museum, with
which made my first essay in the show
game, could hardly be called circus. The big
feature Of the show was signor Lowande, the
strong man, who lifted horse with his teeth.
But, II the museum" was not much Of a show
under the big tent, it was an education in the
graft department. kept my eyes open while
engaged in my humble calling, and always
managed to get an earful Of any professional
talk when the same was being spilled by the
rsfters with the show. Consequently I soon
learned the possibilities Of the business.
But, as I have pointed out In a previous
afslee card-playing provided an easy living
during the first years Of my young manhood,
ana drifted about the Middle West and Far
west until 1883 before saw a chance to get
INTO tho circus business under conditions that
promised good rewards.
knew the proprietor Of circus that was
popular in the Middle West. In fact, my part
aeT ana had taken considerable money from
'ne Uafters with his circus We had followed
'neas'w for three months, playing cards with
a' s'afters in their hours Of recreation, and
ss'ang away with 1t nicely. This had given
ms further insight into the possibilities of the
graft game.
senerally in approaching town official I
would say that our show, which was about
= provide high-class entertainment for his
Dsnspsople, had few little outside games
'Alsn would be operated not ostentatiously.
sAa snas the proprietors simply wanted TO
4aAe sure that there could be no trouble.
some time during the course Of the con-
's1sas1on / would manage to alp little re-
.1sf to ths oficial-perhaps SO or $40.
:, aA'' ns would get plenty Of tickets. But /
:. aHass liked to see him tuck bill away In
= ssh because that meant we were safe.
'ssn . man has taken money he IL yours.
4ae Proprietor Of the show told mo the
ss0iea he was having with his grafters.
4aey have all been drunk" be said, "and
.s4's o1 them have run OF. The fixer ts no
'ss'' and want you to take his place.
: g the FixeYs job
: smooth the Way
i. $" THIS was no small compliment, because
q. VT With circus has responsible posi-
is his duty to call upon the officials
,,, nave anything to say regarding the
\, s0n Of circus-the issuing of licenses
~ 'ash matters. s ''s
'0A the Job as hxer with this circus and
IA !, sas start found plenty to interest me
% keep M busy.
-. On the theory that It was easier 70
A10aa the top down rather than from