Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 122, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 May 1911 — WILL ENFORCE DRASTIC GAMING LAW [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WILL ENFORCE DRASTIC GAMING LAW

MONTCLAIR, N. J. —The open season for bridge whist and poker ended here when a committee of prominent clergymen called upon Recorder Henry L. Yost and requested that the provisions of the air-tight state gambling law of 1898 be put in force at once. Lawyers say the New Jersey gambling law is one of the most sweeping ever put on a statute book. Its three sections include every florm of dallying with chance. Pokek-players, euchre players or shakers of dice for drinks may be sent to prison. "What’s this I hear about putting an end to bridge?” a lawyer asked the police chief. "My wife has arranged for a bridge whist party tonight, but IH call it off if there’s any danger of a raid." The chief’s proxy hurriedly consulted a copy of the gambling law and then advised that the bridge party be called off. Bridge has taken a strong hold on Montclair, with high play as a result. « A young Montclair woman, prominent . socially, was invited recently to an

afternoon tea. Bridge was proposed, almost as a matter of course. No money was staked, counters being used. The girl plunged. When play was ended the girl was informed calmly by her hostess, “I find by the counters that you owe me |4o.’’ "Why! I didn’t know we were playing for money,’ gasped a th« amazed and then deeply mortified girl. But the hostess persisted in her claim, and the girl handed over a brooch as security. At home she confided in her father, a New York lawyer. He called.pp the winner on ths pbone. "Kindly' return my daughter’s brooch within 24 hours,” he said. The brooch was sent back within an hour, without bill or comment.