Evening star., 1928-11-24
P|CKETS TO STAY
/ AT SOCIAL CLUBS
Gibson Promises Hesse Aid
in Getting Stronger Law
Against Gambling.

With seven of eight social clubs"
under surveillance closed and but a
few patrons passing through the portals
of the remaining one. Maj. Edwin B.
Hesse, superintendent of police, declared
today that he would keep police senti-
nels posted in front of them night and
day until he Is sure they have gone
out of business permanently.
II new. establishments are set up In
other locations, Maj. HesSe continued,
the picketing win be repeated there.
Maj. HesSe's new ultimatum to the
gambling houses followed conference
with Chairman Gibson of the special
subcommittee of the House District
committee, in which MI. Gibson prom
ised assistance In proposals to strength
en- the laws relating to searches. They
particularly discussed extending the
provisions of the prohibition paddock
law to cover gambling houses.
Draft Of Law Sought.
As result of the conference the
corporation counSePS office has been
asked to draft laws that will cover the
deficiencies now existing. Mr.. Gibson
gave assurance that when these meas
ures had been drafted he will either in
troduce them himself in the House or
some other member of the District COM
nittee. will do So,, and his subcommittee
will work for their early passage.
! Meanwhile the, police pickets will be
obtaining valuable evidence which may
enable Maj HeSse to persuade the office
of the United States district attorney
to institute paddock proceedings against
the proprietorS of WaShington's gambling
L. Nv,I-A Nte la ie
being waged.
"One of the greatest difficulties with
which we have to contend" Mai. HeSSe
declared, sis that the men back of
these social clubS-the real men with
the money-Sit In their offices and reap
the profits while the operators they hire
do the actual work and are the ones
who are arrested when we raid them.
If we keep on fighting them. however,
in the long run some one will be locked
up who will 'squeaP and then we will
get to the bottom of the gambling situa-
ton here and know who is really
responsible for it.
There is one thing I am thankful
for" he continued, my department can
work unhampered-there may be some
little graft in it, but can't find it and
I have thoroughly investigated every
rumor Of that kind of thing"
The strategy of the police Is being
met with strategy on the part of the
gamblers. One Fourteenth street re-
sort. which Is reputed to be the biggest
gambling house In the city. closed its
doors at o'clock yesterday afternoon
and the manager with his staff of as
sistants walked past the policeman at
the door with their money and the i'm
plements of their profession. An hour
later two men were posted in front of
the place, who stopped every one who
approached and whispered ir their
ear the location of the new quarters of
the club. where the game continued
undiSturbed until an early hour this
morning.
Another club on Fourteenth street
kept its doors open, but no one either
entered or left yesterday afternoon or
last night and police think that the
game there is no longer running and
the place has gone out OF business
or perhaps moved to some other place
known only to the members of the club.
The proprietor. however has posted
no pickets to direct his patrons where
to go.
Clubs Close Up Early.
Vi Tile i've OtIleE CLUBS WHICH CIOSeO
yesterday, most moved out early in the
afternoon. One near North Capitol and
P streets was closed all day.
The policeman in front of the one
resort which remained open reported
that few persons entered and left the
place but business was very bad"
Capt. Guy e. Burlingame Of the Sec
ond precinct, which contains most Of
the social clubs. took personal hand
last night In the war and issued an ul-
tinlatum to tie gamblers that If they
do not cease their activities he will
raid their establishments without search
warrants and viii drag them into court
and fight out the matter there.