Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-21
TO BE "wiDE oPEN?"

III ~ not tue Wdttr puVStiVi J""N "N''
although that Is but temporarily set
tied. 1t is a question of morality ana
social order. The Indications are very
strong that the design is to make this
what is known as "A wide open town.
Some efforts have been put forth TO
suppress the Sunday liquor traffic. A
few arrests have been made, and some
saloons make little pretense of sun
dsy closing. But 1t is understood that
business Is conducted at the 'old
stands" nevertheless, and but q very
few establishments comply with the
law. 50 much for that part Of the SUBJ
ject. 1t has been agltated for a long
time and is likely to be discussed In the
future, for the people Of this city VIII
see to II that their demands are COM
piled wish.
II was supposed that genuine endeay-
ors TO close the gambIing-houses were
being put forth by the police, under
the direction Of the Mayor IL appears
now. however. that they were but a
passing show to lull the public into
quiescence. The system has been
revived which requires the
proprietors Of gambling dens TO come
forward, every month, and pay tribute
into the city Golfers. The understand
Ing seems 10 be that no arrests need be
made, The yiolators of the city ordi-
nance a. simply invited to step up and
deposit certain amount. according 70
the magnitude of their business.
Their names are called In the city court
next day, and the sums paid In are de-
clared forfeited as bail" The Same
tactics are used in reference TO houses
Of il-iame. Their keepers deposit their
bali which Is declared forfeit and
no appearance in court or actual ar
rest Is needed. Up 10 date. during the
present month. the gamblers have paid
into the city treasury 1920, and the
women alluded to $40
Il is stated, openly. that the Mayor
favors this procedure under the plea
that the city needs the money, and that
this Is the best way of regulating these
necessary evils. The Chief Of Police
appears TO be In the same mind II
this Is true, we may look for full rs-
turn TO the open encouragement OF
vices that the majority of our citizens
desire to suppress II possible, and II |
not to restrain within the closest linn
It's That they can be restricted and |
reduced to minimum has been dem |
onstrated many times In the history of
this municipality.
About two months ago the Deseret
News congratulated Salt Lake City on
the announcement made by Chief Paul,
which was issued June 22nd. that gam
bling houses must be closed But this
paper drew attention on June 2Srd TO
the language OF that officer when inter-
viewed concerning his intentions, which
was as follows:
"This order is that all gambling
houses must close and stay closed-to-
night. tomorrow night and for some
time to come This IL my order, and
FOR THE PRESENT It must be
obeyed."
This would imply that the order is
sued by the chief was but for the time
being. That officer is at least consistent
with himself, II not with the ordinances
OF the city. We stated them "rhe
Chief had better make his order perma-
nent II he win do so. he will find that
he will be sustained by the great ma
tonty Of citizens, OF all creeds and
parties"
The question 10 be decided by the
public is. shall this system, which is
simply license for gambling and prosti-
tuition under disguise. be permitted TO
continue, or shall the city ordinances
relating 10 these matters be enforced
Let us have no humbug about H. II
these vices are to be placed under ths
protection &. the city authorities for a
hxed monthly sum, in order to supply
needed revenue let II be so understood
and proclaimed Repeat the ordinances
against them, and fix the amount of tue
license. AID do not make any pretersa
about bail"
" that is not to be the policy. let
the Law prevail, Arrest those who vio-
late and defy o. Let their fines or inn
pslsonnent be eeau,ne. Execute the
ordinance against gambling, upon the
proprletors Of the large and elegant
haunif as we'll az upon the smaller and
less pfetenuous dens. Il Is stated by
responsible persons that the richer gam
blers have been permitted to carry on
their games, ri.h, along without OBJ
struction. while the poorer and lower /
classes have keen closed out, We do
not know whether this Is true or not,
We DO know that II !, Is sincerely
the purpose OF the executive depart.
ment 10 suppress gambling houses the
work EN- be done Make the arrests
genuine Eeplat them as often as nee
essary 10 suppress the evn, and what Is
desired can he accomplished the same Z
nd TO the zane eSisa, as the enforce. .
ment Of other civic regulations
The other evil may be found moro
to hasdie. and Il may reQusa {
more wisdom lof ils reslrlctio, No
good purpose would be effected b. scat.
'ts1ng i through the community. But