The Washington times., 1901-12-08
LICENSED GAMBLING
PAYS ALL EXPENSES.
THE BRILLIANT CITY OF OSTENDE
Fashionable Belgian Resort which
Hns an Immense surplus Every
Year-ProfitabIe Concessions
to Gaming Establishments.


North and South America are numerously
and conspcuously represented at ostende
during the summer season; and no effort
is spared by the local authorities to pro-
vide the kind of dissipation these repre-
sentatives of cosmopolis seek The daily
routine is at once brilliant. giddy and gor-
geous; and the spectacle presented dur
ing pleasant summer afternoon or even
ing on the magnificent terra GOTTA prom
enade, which stretches for more than
three miles along this section of the coast
of the North Sea, is uurivaled for color,
yivacity and brilliancy. On the outer side
Of the promenade is the beautiful beach,
thronged with rolllcking bathers and little
children with their nurses. playing in the
sand, and on the inner side is a long row
of hotels. restaurants and private villas,
with picturesque and imposing facades
heightening the effect of the panorama
Looming high above the rest. on an abrupt
promontory, is the royal chalet where
King Leopold enjoys the summer sea
breezes when he is not yachting up and
down the adjacent main. There is no lack
Of popular diversions provided for all
sorts of tastes. and they achieve their
obvious purpose OF attracting all sorts Of
people.
The Splendid kursaaI.
The central feature of the fine array of
architecture on the sea front is the Kur-
saal wherein music. theatrical perform
ances, and dancing and lounging accom-
modations are provided for those who pay
a modest price for admission thereto. This
Kursaal was erected and is owned and
conducted by the city. as is the gambling
hall. which is practically under the sams
roof The gambling establishment is
nominaIly controlled and managed by a
single Individual. who is understood to
have a number Of Berlin bankers as his
silent partners. In payment for the ex-
elusive privilege OF carrying on the gam
bling business under municipal surveil-
lance. this man pays to the municipality OF
Ostende 2,50O,000 francs annually. The
latest concession was granted two years
ago on somewhat higher terms than those
obtained under the previous grants, and
il has two years yet TO run, unless il is
sooner terminated by the enactment OF
the proposed law prohibiting the making
OF contracts for such u ,rposes, and can
ceiling all those now In existence During
the four years covered by the present con-
cession, therefore. the amount of money
which the management of the gaming ta-
bles has agreed TO pay to the city of Os-
tende is 100000 francs
Flooded With Money.
The annual budget OF the city for de-
fraying all current municipal expendi-
lures. according to the figures set forth
in the latest oflcial documents, is only
about 2,00o0 900 francs. so that the revenue
derived from this gambling concession Is
more than sufficient to meet all the ex-
penses of conducting the clty's affairs.
As y matter OF fact, however. only about
one fifth OF the revenue thus derived, or
800. GOO francs. is annually devoted to the
defraying of the current expenses OF the
municipality The balance required for
the municipal budget is obtained from
the very large revenues received from
the baths. the Kursaal proper. and the
other institutions that have been estab-
lished by the city at the expense of the
gambling establishment for the special
accommodation of summer visitors With
these constantly increasing sources OF
revenue to rely upon. not only are the
taxpayers OF Ostende practically relieved
OF nearly all the burdens of local taxa
tion for carrying On their government.
but they have the satisfaction of realiz-
ing that they have also a large annual
balance to the good for permanent i'm
provements the cost Of which comes out
Of the pockets OF others than those whom
they directly benefit In addition tn ha
100000 francs annually deducted from
the proceeds OF the gambling concession,
about 200. 900 francs OF this fund are de-
voted TO certain forms OF charity. leaving
about 100000 francs OF the annual gam
bling revenue Tor what may be termed a
public Improvement fund.-Chicag Tri-
bune.