Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 196, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1917 — GAMBUNG HITS GAME [ARTICLE]

GAMBUNG HITS GAME

Handbooks Are More Numerous Than at Race Track. * ■ Baseball Writer Says Worst Blow In Years Has Fallen—Betting Rolls -Up to Immense Total—Uprising Result "It would seem that baseball has sufficient troubles with the war and other influences working against it; but the worst blow in years has fallen,” says Hugh Fullerton. “That danger is the gamblers. “There is doubt in my mind,” Fullerton says, "if there ever was a time in Chicago’s history when the handbooking on rucingwasaFextensive as is the booking on baseball games today. Much more money was bet on races, but this betting rolls up to an immense total, so great, in fact, that one man I know, who operates on a moderate scale, told me he handles nearly $7,000 a week. “Until last season the gamblers in Chicago were content to work downtown in saloons, cigar stores and poolrooms. Last year they Invaded the ball parks, especially the Cub park, and this year there is a well-defined betting section, where the gamblers congregate and draw betters. “In Boston this evil has existed ever since the sport started. It has been a recognized industry. The gamblers are known, and the fact that they have powerful political backing also is known —which may accodnt for the fact that the loud promises to wipe them out never have been executed. “So strong is the Boston gambling combine that one friend of mine, an outsider, who attempted to operate there, was ordered out by.political powers, not because he was a gambler, but because the rival gamblers insisted upon it. He is operating In another city now, and is doing a tremendous business. “In Pittsburgh there has been another hotbed of gamblers, which is in the grandstands, and which goes on almost unmolested. In Cleveland gambling became ‘rampant last year. In Detroit the profession found one of the best fields because of the disorganized condition of the entire city, especially the police force. The gamblers have not worked so openly in the stands, but they are accumulating their crowds in two sections at present. “Such conditions are certain to result in uprisings such as took place in Boston. They are even more certain to result eventually in the corruption of players. “Queerly, the powers that rule baseball have thought the best remedy for this gambling evil is whitewash—on which it thrives. Baseball and gambling cannot prosper side by side, whether in partnership or not —and when gambling, backed by politics comes good night.”