Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-22
THE SLOT MACHINES.
MAJOR POE DETERMINED THAT THEY
SHALL be TAKEN OUT.
Warrants Exerussd on Twelve Proprietors.
Anticipated the Coming Of Omccrs-
Description Of the Coutrivances.

When Justice John Jones Crutchfeld
| assembled the bench in the Police Court
| Yesterday he was handed memorandum
containing the names of twelve persons
and firms who had been reported TOT
| keeping in their places Of business that
contriyance for getting ones self rich'
called the ''nickel-in-the-slot machine
Several days ago one OF these cases
came I'D before his Honor and was con-
tinued until counsel could be had on both
sides. Yesterday the royal expounder
OF equity thought that the keeping OF
these machines were violations OF the
State laws with regard to gambling. as
there Is no city ordinance covering the
subject. and he sent the names back 10
the Chief Of Police. whence they came
with the explanation that warrants would
have to be served OF the persons and the
usual course carried out.
WARRANTS FOR A DOZEN.
This morning, therefore. the following
proprietors will be before the Court 10
answer the charge OF permitting gaming
In their places Of business:
A. Nardi, 1899 east Franklin street.
Exchange Hotel, Franklin street.
Y Dale Luche & Co, 1912 east Frank
lin street
NJ. Massei. IOi north Seventeenth
street.
Philip G. Kelly, 1903 Franklin street.
+. G. Onesty, 1Oi north Eighteenth
street.
W. Miller. III east Grace street.
william Washington. 1903 east Grace
street.
]. L. Ebenhack, 1901 east Main street.
r. J. Enright n2 Louisiana street.
Phil Erish S1OS Lester street.
j. l.. Smith, 3c03 Lester street.
HUSTLED AWAY THE MACHINES.
II was mysteriously learned on Wednes-
day that Major Poe, Chief OF Police, had
issued orders that all persons conduct
ing these contrivances for getting rich
In a hurry" should be reported, and In
places where the rattle of the nickeis
could ordinarily be heard all day long,
there was a dearth of this character OF
noise wednesday afternoon. Sergeant
John Hall. who made the raid in the
East End, only succeeded In finding
twelve of the fascinating combinations.
In many saloons and other places where
II was known that the machines had been
in operation for months. there was no
sign of such a contrivance, and the pro-
prietors, smiling blandly, knew nothing
of such n thing as a nickel-in-the-slot
machine.
1t now begins to look as II no other
warrants will be sworn out There has
been some complaint because all the
persons reported are from the First Police
District. but this Is in a measure due 10
the fact that the raid began in that sec
ton OF the city.
WHAT THE MACHINE IS.
The nickel-in-the-slot machine Is at
least a Turing device for one to lose his
money. 1t IL a shallow box-looking ar
rangement. about a foot and half high
with a glass front, showing a metal lin
ing in which are fastened a lot of pins
Systematically arranged. Near the bot
tom of the case are a number of pockets
some machines having five and Others
three. The nickels are dropped In from
the top of the box and pushed in by q
nickel-plated arrangement extending above
the box for this purpose. The piece OF
money can either go into one OF the
pockets or into a special opening. In the
latter event the pocket Is unlocked and
the person playing gets the contents OF
that pocket.
The three pocket machines have by far
proved the most popular. Keepers claim
that these are absolutely fair. With these
devices every time corner pocket T.
dumped the proprietor OF the house has TO
replensh 1t with % cents. Many "A man
has spent a weeks salary on these con
trivances In few hours. and II Is known
that upon one occasion S.35 was taken
from one pocket with one nickel.