"Dashing Jack" to the Rescue

Life on the Riviera is a curious blend of pastimes such as sunbathing and tennis which build up the human system, and occupations such as tippling and gambling which do not. By far the most spectacular figures which move in the latter sphere are the mysterious group of slick little sloe-eyed men known as the Greek Syndicate.

Identified members of this potent gaming cabal are Messrs. Koujongeorg, Andre (French gambling-house proprietor), Zar-eth and Zographos. Supposed assets: some 1,200,000,000 francs ($46,800,000). For almost ten years these gentlemen have run the baccarat banks at Deauville, Cannes, Monte Carlo. Biarritz, La Baule, Aix-les-Bains, Juan-les-Pins, Le Touquet. They have prospered to the extent of paying 25,000% in dividends to their 50-odd investors. Most famed member of the group is M. Zographoo, whose extravagance is voitures de grand sport (fast automobiles) and whose reputation for honesty is only equalled by his deftness with a baccarat "shoe" (dealing box).

Last week the great Greek Syndicate, life of every important Riviera casino, suddenly ceased operations. Reason: they objected to a new and higher French tax on large baccarat winnings.

At once color and zest vanished from the casinos. There was chemin de jer and boule for small punters, but serious gamesters missed the Greeks, whose standing challenge is that they are good for any bet up to 50,000,000 francs ($1,950,000). Also the casino proprietors missed the steady income from baccarat "kitties." Who was the man to replace the Greeks?

At Juan-les-Pins up stepped Major John ("Dashing Jack") Coats, millionaire Englishman, no relative of the potent thread-spinning house of Coats. Most experienced gambler next to the Greeks, he had just won 1,000,000 francs from the Syndicate. He would take over the bank, hold it all summer if need be "to break the Greek Syndicate and put baccarat in the hands of sportsmen who play for the love of the game." "Sportsmen," he gallantly declared, "do not necessarily play for profit."*

Then ensued what observers described as "an orgy of baccarat." Itinerant gamblers for miles around, learning that Dashing Jack was at the "shoe," flocked to and swamped Frank Jay Gould's place. They came in morning coats, they came in knickers, some came in trunks, bathing suits, beach robes. One deplorable incident during the rush was the unwitting exclusion of Prince Habib Lotfallah who appeared attired in pyjamas after the management, of necessity, had turned away all patrons in beach costume.

At the end of four days' play Dashing Jack had lost what he had won from the wily Greeks and 9,000,000 francs more besides. Sadly said he: "The only consolation is that my friends are winning my money."

At Deauville in the north, one John Factor, London diamond merchant, also attempted to succeed the Greeks, lost $360,000 in four hours.

*Coats legend: Once, after a night's play in a Paris circle (gaming club) Gambler Coats broke the bank, tipped the barmaid who had wished him luck a round half million francs.

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