The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-21
Bold and Clever Pair Victimized
Saloonkeeprs, Who
Feared Arrest.
THEY CANNOT BE PROSECUTED.
Devices Not Recognized as Prop
erty-Schemers Are Thought
to Be at Least $500
=, Ahead.

Chief Of Police Campbelrs declaration OF
his intention TO inaugura,e a raid upon
all Slot machines being operated in this city
furnished a valuable cue to a couple Of
nervy and shrewd individuals who live by
their wits. They took undue advantage Of
the Chiefs official tip to execute a coup
which lined their pockets at the expense
Of number of unsophisticated saloon
keepers. and the local firm which controls
the sale or lease of these automatic money
makers. 1t is estimated that the sharpcrs
have enriched themselves TO the extent Of
more than $50 within two days. by the SIM
pie expeiient Of forestalling the action Of
the Chief of Police and the firm. and taking
advantage OF the credulity of the saloon
keepers operating the machines
When the news of the Chief 8 contemplated
raid was first published four days ago. the
office OF the firm which controls the ma
chimes was overwhelmed with telephone in
quiries from saloonkeepers. asking advice
to the situation. Many of these saloon
keepers had been assured that there was no
danger of police Interference. To all of these
inquiries came the reassurinS reply to con-
tinue operating the machines until they re-
ceivei an official tip from the firm to retire
them This, they were assured, would be
given at the proper time by trusted messen-
gers from the Office. who would remove tho
machines to the warehouse in time to avert
arrest or confiscation. and keep them there
until the danger blew over.
Thursday morning early q couple Of alert
lookin: men drove around to a number of
At each saloon they entered they informed
the man in charge that they were employees
of the slot machine firm, that the raid mad
that they had been instructed to remove
the machines intact to the warehouse. to
prevent their con;iscauon. and avert the
arrest of the saloonman when the police
called.
The saloonman thereupoD exchanged wis
domfui wi,iks with the employees" slapped
them on the back. while expressing appre-
citation Of the vigilance OF the firm In saw
ing him annoyance. bought them round
S Of drinks .S and helped h them pp. The ma
assuring him that the money in the ma
chimes would be kept intact In an envelope
and divided fairly. drove away briskly.
Most OF the machines are owned by the
company and leased TO the saloonkeeper.
who receives 70 per cent OF the profits. A
number Of saloonkeepers. however. have
purchased the machines outright. realizing
their value as money makers. When the two
sharpers with the wagon ran across a ma
chine owned by n saloonk-eper. they adopr I'd
other tactics. They boldly announced them
selves as special officers from headquarters
sent 20 confiscate the machines Each was
loonman. knowing that a raid was immi-
nent. seldom sought to question their au-
thority further. Tho Officers did not. In
any Instance. attempt to arrest any one. OBJ
serving that warrants would be applied for
later against the operator.
IL Is said that the schemers got away with !
at leaS. nine machines. and probably more
before their operations were interfer,i |
with. The first intimation the machine firm
had Of what was in the wind was when
they received several messages from sa-
asking for a division of the
receipts Of the machines. which had been
taken away No complaint has been ma 10 |
fhn hyT y-ta inns for .f,,-far
reasons. The machines are not recognized
In law as property. The individuals who