Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-02

seemed to hold him. He didn't know
anybody in the Philippines.
could see that he had made up his
mind not to let me in, but he didn't
mind talking some more. He told me
that clubs like his couldn't afford to
let people in unless they we're intro
duced; it wouldn't be fair to the MEM
bers. He said he'd be glad to admit
me If were so introduced. He told me
that most of the clubs were patronized
by certain groups of people, either
through convenience or preference, and
most people didn't play at but one club.
The word gamble" was never men,
toned. but there was perfect under
standing between us as to what went
on All the time he kept asking me
questions. and after awhile I decided
it was time to push off. We said good
night and / went out into the night.
introduced by Clerk.
The next night asked the clerk in
we'll known hotel where I could do
a little gambling. and he took me
around to place and introduced me
personally.
Another group of ''introducers" are
around certain corners or In poolrooms
or lunchrooms and will take you
around to a club If you are 20. K"
The first one I found knew who I was.
"How's The Starr" he said.
What Starr" demanded.
Don't you work on The Star?''
II should say not" said Indignantly.
Well" he said, you look like guy
that does
He took me around to an apartment
house, where the game hadn't started.
then to a hotel. The game hadn't
started there either. I found out that
he wasn't going to get me into reg
ular place, but into big private game
/ seized the excuse that the game not
having started gave me and left as
quickly as l could. I didn't care any
thing about a private game anyway
/ ma found out one more thing, that
starters are posted about town to drum
up trade for the gambling houses. /
supp; &c they get a rake-off If the
player loses.
Taxi Drivers Help.
Taxi drivers are help, too, but they
would much rather get you a drink.
They know all the places. but they aren't
SO good at getting you in. One took me
to one of the numerous establishments
on Fourteenth street and then left me
TO fare for myself.
THE last time / was in there" he
said. Il lost 5000 and drew the rod.
They don't like me any more"
Another took me through the outside
door OF another place and tried to get
the lookout to admit me. The guard
was hard boiled.
If you amt got card you don't get
in. That's all there is to It," he said
We've lost $4,000 already tonight"
Admitted Later On.
got past him couple of nights later.
Another taxi driver said he could take
me to any number of places In the aft
ernoons and We made a date for the
next day. I didn't keep it because I
knew could get into two or three
places without his help.
The trouble with most of the taxi
drivers is that they want to take you
out past the District line to the largest
place OF them all. 1t is the easiest to
get in and the taxi driver gets 81. rs by
the meter. If you know the procedure
you get a free ride out and a free ride
back. But there will be more about
that later
Gets Card from Acquaintance.
got into my first establishment in
town by going out there. scraped I'D
an acquaintance with passenger in the
car going back and he gave me his card
to place In town. held up the card In
the vestibule, man looked down from
upstairs and pressed q buz2er and /
walked in. He never looked at the
name on the card
The place out in the country Is the
easiest to get in. the best known and
by far the largest around here. That,
Of course, makes it harder to get into
the establishments in the city. 1t caters
to people from Washington but 1t is In
Maryland Most of the visitors to
Washington who want to gamble 20
there.
Police Declared Tightening Up.
The places in town, on the other
hand, are patroni2ed by people who live
here, except for the few visitors who
get In by one of the methods i have
mentioned. They have to be more care
full In town. The taxi drivers all say
the police are tightening up on them
as they don't let anybody In who isn't
20. k they are safe. They can't be
raided without a warrant and warrant
can't be secured without evidence.
But you can get in II you take little
trouble. And when you get in. there
Is plenty to see.
Another article on the gambling sit
uation in Washington will appear in
The Star tomorrow.