The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-06
ChILDREN'S NICKfLS
A NOVEL ENTERPRISE AT SANTA
MONICA
Slot Machines on the Beach With
Young Girls as Their
Patrons

SANTA MONICA, Aug 5.-Although a
large number of nickel-in-the-s ma
chimes have been in opera ton here during
the summer, for the most part unmolested.
d phase of the question has lately pre-
scented itself which touches, not SO much
on their presence in number, which
reaches in the netghborhOod Of twenty, as
the nature of the places in which some OF
the machines are placed and the kind of
goods they pay in. Numerous machines
are running in the several saloons about
town, which pay their patrons In checks
redeemable in merchandise" For the
privilege Of conducting these their owners
pay county license Of IS per quarter. An
exception to the latter fact was found In
the case of Hans Rasmussen, who was ar
rested last Sunday for running a game
without a license, and for Which violation
of county law he paid fine of $40.
But in the matetT of several other ma
chimes, which pay very small percentage
and that in coin, and for which, according
to county law, no license may be issued,
the state law is also being directly vio-
lated. One saloonkeeper here has eight
machines in operatlon-five at his place Of
business, one at an Ocean avenue fruit
stand and two in beach restaurants, the
latter three being accessible to young
children, who are gradually becoming con-
slant patrons OF the fascinating wheels.
During the past week no less than twelve
young girls and boys have been counted
at one time engrossed in the tickle game
att one of the last named places. No at
tempt has been made by the officers to
put stop to this business for the reason
that they consider the matter not one for
municipal interference on the ground that
there is no city ordinance prohibiting or
controlling the machines. They claim that
state or county officials are responsible for
the violation of the law. 1t is probable
that the subject would not have received
unusual attention had not the owner of the
above named machines grown too avari-
cious for the nickel of his fellow men and
women to say nothing of the children, by
placing them in places frequented by the
latter, who have patronized them to such
an alarming extent that the machines have
proven a source Of unexpected revenue.
The moneymaking proclivities Of the ma
chine are great on an so per cent basis,
giving the players opportunities few and
far between to be winners, but the young
folks who daily push their nickels do not
realize this, and the occasional dime or
quarter which is turned out proves fas-
cination too strong to be resisted by the
little embryo gamblers.
When interviewed on the subject City
Marshal Barretto expressed his willing
ness TO do all in his power to remove this
feature of gambling. and signified his In
tention of Immediately serving notice on
those conducting games outside OF saloons
to close them up.
It is said that an ordinance will be pre-
scented at next Mondays meeting OF the
board of trustees to get around this DIFF
ficulty, making it misdemeanor for
minors to play nickel-in-the-slot machines.
which will virtually be prohibiting minors
from breaking a law which adults are al
lowed constantly to break into small bits.