The Night Federal Agents Made Chinatown Show Its Papers

Chinese Inspector F. D. Schuyler and a posse explored Chinatown last night for certificates of residence and in consequence broke up many a refreshing “smoke” or enticing card game. The Chinese found were all either in possession of their coveted pieces of paper or recognized by Mr. Schuyler. The only incident of the evening was the arrest of Chin Len Chong, of the firm of Quong Chong, by Inspector Schuyler and Deputy Marshal Quilter, for swearing falsely to an affidavit in the case of Chew Bow, deported last June. Chong escaped the authorities and went East, where he remained until recently. He was arrested and released shortly afterward on a bond of $1,500, with Gong Ting and Chin Gee Hee as sureties. The date of his appearance is set for Thursday at 2 p.m. before Commissioner Emery. One certificate was found signed by the deputy collector of internal revenue, instead of the collector, and was taken up. It was bona fide and will only have to be changed. Many amusing incidents were encountered on the trip and more than once the members of the posse were “blissed” in Chinese.

In starting out the posse divided into three parties, led respectively by Inspector Schuyler, Deputy Marshal Quilter and Inspector Lord, each having certain houses to visit and to guard against Chinese going from one place to another. The Post-Intelligencer representative was assigned to Mr. Schuyler’s party, which went direct to Wa Chong’s establishment. The search was begun on the second story, which is used as sleeping and card rooms. Inspector Schuyler, being familiar with the occupants of the place, stationed himself at the head of the stairs while the balance of the party, Inspector John W. Snover, J. C. Colvin and the Post-Intelligencer reporter, searched the various apartments. The first place visited was a card room, where half a dozen men were playing a dice game. They looked at the intruders with considerable disgust and anger and inquired, “Wha she matter?” “Go dig up your choo chees (certificate) or I’ll arrest you,” was the answer Inspector Snover would give them. Some of them would hurry away to get them, while others would demur, but a slap on the back from the inspectors would get them started. The game would be broken up and the air in the room assume a bluish hue from the language thrown out by the gamesters.

A number of “smokers” were disturbed and some awakened from their deep slumber induced by the heavy drug. They would arise hesitatingly and in a sleepy manner ask “Wha for?” Some of them would say that they knew Inspector Schuyler and would go and be identified by him rather than go after their certificates. They would then drag themselves back into the “smoking” room to resume their favorite drug. The reporter found his way into a room in the rear portion of the third story and asked three or four men in bed for their “choo chees.” A head raised above the covering and said: “I’m no damn Chinese man. I’m a Japanese, and don’t you forget it.” Some carried their certificates in their pockets, while others would delve away down in the innermost recesses of their queer trunks for the desired piece of paper.