The Washington herald., 1922-08-01
CITIZENS WARN
COUNTY TOEND
GAMBLING EVIL
Will Appeal to Ritchie if
Three Dens Are Not
Closed Today.
VIRGINIA OFFICIAL
LAUNCHES PROBE
Despite Herald Expose,
Houses Operate With
out Interference.

Unless authorities of Prince
Georges County take immediate ac-
tion to, suppress the three gambling
dens located in their jurisdiction.
bordering the District. private citi-
zens will appeal to Gov. Richie
Prominent citizens of Hyattsville,
located close. to the gambling houses
exposed by The Herald. stated last
night that the matter had been
brought to the attention OF county
officials several times. without ac-
tIon resulting. A final appeal will
be made today, II was stated, atter
which the entire matter would be
laid before the States chief execu-
tive.
in Virginia. where one of the
worst dens is located. Frank l.. Ball.
Commonwealth's Attorney for Ar
Engtos County, already has started
an investigation. MIR. Ball gave in
structions to the sheriff yesterday
to make a full report Immediately.
Games Still In Operation.
Notwithstanding the Herald's ex-
pose of gambling. in full blast. at
the very doors of the Nations Cap
ital, at least three of the dens were
in full operation last night. At the
Club in Suitland road business
was even more brisk than Sunday
night and 'Jimmy's place" has its
usual number of players.
In addition. another club" was
located yesterday on the Conduit
road, a short distance from the Dis
trict line. where the wooers OF
chance recently have started flock
ing in large numbers. This club
did a good business last night
Reports were circulated yesterday
that Jimmy had determined to
close his place and take a rest. He
confided to friends that he expect
ed to take a well-earned rest at
Saratoga"
Constable Thomas H. Garrison.
of Hyattsville. declared last night
that he did not know of the ex-
istence of the gambling. dens in
Prince Georges County. The con-
stable expressed the belief that the
only Gamblfng done in the county
was done at Bowie race track.
When the statement in The Herald
as to the gambling places in Ar
lington County. Va. were brought
to the attention of Representative
r. Walton Moore. whose district
includes that county. he said that
he was entirely without informa-
tion on the subject, except what he
had read.
Would Eliminate EVIL.
He said he entertained no doubt
that il the evil exists IL will be
condemned by the sentiment of the
public across the river and will be
dealt with vigorously by the county
officials
He mentioned that several years
ago there was a complete cleaning
up of gambling in Arlington Coun-
ty, then known as Alexandria Coun-
ty, and that since then little or ma
violation of the gambling laws had
been heard of or suggested until
now.
Arlington County said Repre-
sentative Moore, lis one of the most
progressive sections near Washing
ton. and it may be assumed with
confidence thar IL there are any
abuses such as those reported in
newspaper statements its citizens
and officials will promptly take
measures to see that they are
stamped out"
The latest club" located, yes
terday. is a short distance out on
Conduit road. and is operated by
persons highly regarded in gam
bling circles.
Experienced Game Keepers.
This club has secured the services
of two OF the fastest dealers and
cashiers in the country. After wide
experience gained in various cities
and particularly East st. Louis,
Ill-"Denny" and Joe" came to the
club with quite a reputation.
This den sits back from the road
and has a broad veranda running
completely across the front of the
house.
Each Of the clubs which are now
In operation has at least one cashier
known all over the country.
At the 'Hardway." located on
Sctland road. above Cedar Hill Gem
etery. is Benny" and Eddie" the
latter believed one of the owners of
the house. These two are consid-
cred artists In their line. Eddie
only is employed for short periods
to give regular cashiers breath
ing spells. but when he does the
action On that table Is certain to be
speeded up.
A club with a fanciful name on
Bladensburg road. employs little
Checkers" He is a speedy dealer
but slightly erratic.
"Jimmy's Place" boasts OF "Pret-
ty." He Is not so fast but seldom,
II ever. makes a mistake In the
swift changing Of bets he can be
relied upon to recall the exact
amount Of bets three and four
spaces back, with uncanny accu-
racy.
Cashiers "Pays Bets.
The work of the cashier includes
the taking of losing bets and the
paying" Of winning bets. They pay
OF winning bets in quick xnatches
from ready stacks in front of them.
A good bit of the actual fascination
Of the game is in watching a good
cashier take care of the multifa-
rious bets before him.
At all of the houses, when the
piles of silver dollars grow SO big
as to become unwieldy, the cashier
win pay OF In SO bills. these
being the next medium Of exchange.
The speed with which he counts the
original stack In snatches Of fve
silver dollars each 10 almost mi
racuious. A number of cashiers are
known who viii bet they can pick
ces'ssssd on Page Ter.