The Prosecutor Says He Is Not in the Gamblers' Pocket

Prosecuting Attorney W. R. Scott expressed a desire to give his side of the gambling controversy, and in an interview with a Post-Intelligencer reporter in his office, said:

"There has been a great deal of publicity given to statements that I am standing in with the gamblers, in re Hughie Bean. This is false. I am absolutely independent of any gamblers, and have made no agreements of any kind whatsoever concerning the operation of games in Seattle or elsewhere in this county. Neither has anyone connected with the prosecuting attorney's office. Hughie Bean, neither myself nor anyone in this office has entered into an agreement, implied or otherwise, whereby he is to have privileges of any kind from this office. I have never talked with Bean on gambling matters. No man has ever come to me on matters of gambling and been referred to Deputy Callaghan to fix up with Bean. Bean has absolutely no power in my office and neither has anyone else.

"I will prosecute every gambler against whom complaint is made to me. I am anxious to send every gambler guilty of violating the law to the penitentiary. I will even go so far as to listen to complaints against gambling and investigate them, whether I believe the complaining witness is sincere or not.

Cannot Gather Evidence.

"However, I cannot go about the city myself and gather evidence, neither can I get any assistance from Sheriff Cudihee or Chief of Police Sullivan. Cudihee came to me at one time and asked me to pull Callaghan off, as he was meddling in matters that did not concern him. He also asked me to pull off Bean. I informed him that I had nothing in common with Bean and nothing to pull him off of.

"I have been asked by gamblers to permit them to run, and this office has been offered money. They have told me they wanted me to pull Bean off. I told them, as I do you, that I will never permit gambling in Seattle while the present state law is in effect, and that they must not ask me to allow them to commit a felony.

"Lately I have not asked the sheriff to assist in the work of suppressing gambling, for I knew it would be of no use. I also know that the chief of police is making no attempt to suppress it. Therefore, what am I to do? It is true that Callaghan has been investigating gambling and other violations of the law, and when he brings to me the information necessary to convict I will prosecute. It is these investigations that are bothering the gamblers, and they want Callaghan fired. If he is fired I will pay his salary out of my own pocket.

Talks of Dunbar Case.

"In regard to the Dunbar case, I have held communication with gamblers to get testimony. This was necessary, and the law permits me to do so. Callaghan and Deputy Todd visited Bean at his shop, where he explained the workings of the Dunbar apparatus. This is the only communication this office has had with Bean. He was not a witness before the grand jury in the Dunbar case, and, if at all, he will only be an expert witness at Dunbar's trial.

"It is the sheriff of this county who should look after violations of the gambling law. He is not doing it, and I cannot make him. If he will do his duty, or if the chief of police or anyone else in Seattle will bring me the evidence, I guarantee that every man engaged in gambling in this county will be prosecuted.

"I have received reports that gambling is going on in this city. But I cannot file complaints on these reports. I must have evidence.

"In the cases now in this office charging gambling at the Seattle and Snohomish bars, they will be prosecuted, whether or not McGovern turns up. We want him, but, nevertheless, we have other witnesses and will go into the cases.

"In this matter I am honest and sincere, and all I want is the testimony and the rest will be done by this office."