Ruby was also frequently suspended by the Texas Liquor Control Board. In August 1949, when he was operating the Silver Spur, he was suspended for 5 days on a charge of “Agents—Moral Turpitude.” In 1953 Ruby received a 5-day suspension because of an obscene show, and, in 1954, a 10-day suspension for allowing a drunkard on his premises.[A16-376] On February 18, 1954, he was suspended for 5 days because of an obscene striptease act at the Silver Spur and for the consumption of alcoholic beverages during prohibited hours.[A16-377] On March 26, 1956, Ruby was suspended by the liquor board for 3 days because several of his checks were dishonored.[A16-378] On October 23, 1961, he received another 3-day suspension because an agent solicited the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on licensed premises.[A16-379]
Police Associations
Although the precise nature of his relationship to members of the Dallas Police Department is not susceptible of conclusive evaluation, the evidence indicates that Ruby was keenly interested in policemen and their work.[A16-380] Jesse Curry, chief of the Dallas Police Department, testified that no more than 25 to 50 of Dallas’ almost 1,200 policemen were acquainted with Ruby.[A16-381] However, the reports of present and past members of the Dallas Police Department as well as Ruby’s employees and acquaintances indicate that Ruby’s police friendships were far more widespread than those of the average citizen.[A16-382]
There is no credible evidence that Ruby sought special favors from police officers or attempted to bribe them.[A16-383] Although there is considerable evidence that Ruby gave policemen reduced rates,[A16-384] declined to exact any cover charge from them,[A16-385] and gave them free coffee and soft drinks,[A16-386] this hospitality was not unusual for a Dallas nightclub operator.[A16-387] Ruby’s personal attachment to police officers is demonstrated by reports that he attended the funeral of at least one policeman killed in action and staged a benefit performance for the widow of another.[A16-388] Ruby regarded several officers as personal friends, and others had worked for him.[A16-389] Finally, at least one policeman regularly dated, and eventually married, one of the Carousel’s strippers.[A16-390]
Underworld Ties
From the time that Ruby arrived in Dallas in 1947, he was friendly with numerous underworld figures. One of his earliest Dallas acquaintances was Paul Roland Jones, who was convicted of attempting to bribe the sheriff of Dallas and engaging in the sale of narcotics.[A16-391] Joe Bonds, one of Ruby’s partners in the Vegas Club, had a criminal record.[A16-392]
Ruby, who enjoyed card playing[A16-393] and horse racing,[A16-394] was friendly with several professional gamblers. In 1959, he visited Cuba at the invitation and expense of Lewis McWillie, a professional gambler.[A16-395] Alice Nichols reported that Ruby’s refusal to give up gambling was one reason why she never seriously considered marrying him.[A16-396] When Sidney Seidband, a Dallas gambler, was arrested in Oklahoma City, his list of gambling acquaintances included Jack Ruby.[A16-397] And other friends of Ruby have been identified as gamblers.[A16-398] Finally, two persons of questionable reliability have reported that Ruby’s consent was necessary before gambling or narcotics operations could be launched in Dallas.[A16-399]
Based on its evaluation of the record, however, the Commission believes that the evidence does not establish a significant link between Ruby and organized crime. Both State and Federal officials have indicated that Ruby was not affiliated with organized criminal activity.[A16-400] And numerous persons have reported that Ruby was not connected with such activity.[A16-401]
Travels
Despite reports that Ruby visited Havana, Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, Honolulu, and Mexican border towns, most of his time subsequent to 1947 was spent in Dallas. Some of his travels, including his efforts in behalf of “Little Daddy” Nelson and his visit to New Orleans in June 1963 have been discussed.[A16-402] Ruby stated that he went to Chicago in 1952, in 1958 when his father died, and in August 1963 when he met members of his family at O’Hare International Airport while en route from New York to Dallas.[A16-403] His August trip to New York motivated by his difficulties with the American Guild of Variety Artists and his desire to obtain talent, has been completely established by hotel records.[A16-404] Early in 1963 Ruby also traveled to Wichita, Kans., because of his interest in stripper Gail Raven,[A16-405] and on May 25, 1963, he apparently registered in an Oklahoma motel.[A16-406]