Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-28
Will Confer With U. S. Attor-
ney Rover on Status OF
WarrantIeSS Raids.
SAYS so GAMBLING DENS
AND SPEAKEASlES KNOWN
Action Follows Adams Refusal
to Prosecute Lauxman,
Jailed Yesterday.

Capt. Frank S. w. Burke, com
mander OF the arst precinct, was pre-
pairing today for war to the finish
on the numerous gambling and drink NC
establishments in operation in his
territory
IAN I'm waiting for" he said. lis an
opportunity to have a talk with United
States Attorney Leo A. Rover. I intend
to tell him of the conditions that exist
in this precinct and get his permission
to stage cleanup campaign"
Raid Status Uncertain.
The drive against gamblers and boot
leggers would be begun Immediately
Capt. Burke continued. II he were sure
that the four warrantless raids made
Tuesday would result in the conviction
Of the nine men arrested.
Despite the fact that "a witnesses
we're taken in the raids. all In the first
precinct, Capt. Burke said he is not
sure the cases will stand up" in court
IF they do" he asserted, I'm going
to get busy. In this precinct there are
about 80 known gambling places about
the same number of known drinking
resorts and about 10 known disorderly
houses. In addition. there are, should
say. 80 gambling and drinking places
which have succeeded in keeping their
activities secret, so far as the police
are concerned"
No Evidence for Warrants.
All the known gambling, drinking
and disorderly establishments have been
reported on numerous occasions, Capt
Burke said. but no action has ever been
taken for the reason that police did not
possess enough evidence to obtain war
rants.
The warrantless raids, Capt. Burke
went on, we're contrary to the instruc-
tons issued by the United States at
torney's ONCE during the past several
months.
Il have no quarrel with Mr.. Rover"
Capt. Burke pointed out. Personally,
l think the warrantless raids are the
best. II not the only way to cope with
conditions here. But they have never
been permitted in the past. and I'm
surprised that they should be approved
now"
Action Impossible.
The first precinct contains many
& 'mbling resorts, Capt. Burke admitted,
but in the past 1t has been next to i'm
possible to do anything with them"
Most Of them are completely equipped
with gambling paraphernalia of all
kinds. Capt. Burke said, and many of
them are guarded by "tip-off". men,
Moreover their doors are several times
the ordinary thickness and are made
virtually impregnable by many locks
and bolts.
We know Of these places" Capt.
Burke continued, and we know, with
out any doubt at all that felonies are
being committed in them. I think we
should be able to obtain warrants sim.
ply on the basis Of this knowledge.
without having 10 obtain actual evil
dence. That's what want to talk to
Mr.. Rover about"
Responsible for Murders.
These gambling and drinking places
are responsible for most OF the murders
and other crimes which have been COM
mitted In Washington recently, Capt.
Burke believes.
I'VE have no real gangster problem at
present" he said, but we will have
before very long if we don't put these
places out of bu. mess"
In preparation for the impending war.
Capt. Burke said, several first precinct
policemen were on a scouting expedi-
ton" today, 'spotting" places which
will be raided later on.
Meanwhile an impromptu raid made
on an alleged bookmaking establishment
at 525 Thirteenth street yesterday failed
to take" today, when Assistant United
States Attorney Frank Adams refused
to prosecute Richard Lauxman. so, the
only man arrested in the place.
Lauxman. who lives in the 1900 block
Continued on Page 2. Column g.