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ORAL BETTING LEGALITY Not Established by Recent McEl-hatton Case Justice Sanduskys Decision Saturday. It is clear that some of the officials of the Illinois Jockey Club were in error in assuming that the recent action of justice Sandusky in the case of alleged bookmaker Mc-Elhatton was a decision tending to establish the legality of "oral" betting in this county. On the contrary, it is now stated in The Tribune that McElhatton was discharged with consent of the states attorneys office, because the evidence in his case was not complete, and the question of legality of book-making by the oral method was not decided. Justice of the peace Sanduskys final decision is to be handed down Saturday. It is stated that during the Hawthorne race meeting there were approximately twenty-six arrests made through the agency of the states attorneys office, represented by assistant states attorney Frank J. Matusek. In each case the . arresting officers were required to make, certain of every detail of evidence and record it for examination by the states attorney. . It now appears that by agreement between counsel all cases were combined in the hearing before justice Sandusky, the lawyers agreeing to expedite "matters by hearing all at once. After the hearing justice Sandusky indicated that he would hold certain of the bookmakers to the grand jury and release others. The attorneys then went over the cases, the state entering nolles in some cases where evidence was not clear. The decision to be rendered tomorrow will be awaited with interest. It appears that the way is being cleared for a more authoritative pronouncement than could be rendered by a justice of the peace. This is as it should be, if a decision of governing weight is to result.
