Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-11-30
They Are Placed BY Attorney.
General In the Same Class
As Lotteries
REGARDED AS FRAUDULENT.
Owing to Peculiar Circumstances
Their Elimination Cannot be
Immediately Absolute

Washington, Nov 2o-An important
cabinet meeting was held today Two
questions Of concern were considered,
the FIRST being the appointment by the
president Of representative OF tho
American government who VIII be u
naval officer OF high rank on the tii-
buna which is to determine the ques-
lions which have arisen between Great
Britain and Russia over the firing by
Admiral Roiestyenskys Baltic fleet mp.
ON the British trawlcrs IN the North
sea; and the other being am opinion
rendered by Atty.-Gen Moody regard
Ing the legality under the lottery laws,
OF guessing contests which have
been conducted by many newspapers
and magazines,
rhe invitation extended to the prcsl.
dent by Great Britain ana Russia 10
name a member Of the tribunal WIS
considered carefully especially by the
president and Secretaries Hay and Mo-.
ton. When the cabinet adjourned 80
DEFINITE conclusion as to who should be
selected had been reached, but II was
settled definitely that the appointes
would De o rear admiral OF the navy.
Il IL practically certain that the selec.
ton win be made from among three
officers Rear Admirals Davis. Chad
wick and Sands Admiral Dewey was
considered for the appointment and the
desire was generally expressed that NE
should have IL. but he has let it be- uii-
dcrstOOd that he does not care FOR the
honor Announcement Of AN appoint
mcnt may be expected I'm few dayn
Some time ago on the request OF
Postmaster General Wynnc, the presl-
dent directed the attorney general TO
submit to him am opinion as TO the
prppriety, under the law restricting the
operations of Lottery enterprises
through the mail OF guessing contests
NJ various kinds. That opinion was
submitted today aud was turned over
by the president 10 Decentralization.
cral Wyune, who hereafter viii be
guided in his direction of the depart
ment by IT, The opinion Is Of most
sweeping character, and while the post
master general has no inclination 20
work hardship upon anybody he win
put the attorney generals judgment
into effect as soon as may be practiC,
able. lie realizes that many thousands
Of people have invested small or large
amounts Of money IN the various
schemes IN the hope or expectation, In
the words Of the opinion, that luck
would enable them 10 win large returns.
"a comparatively small percentage
of the participants viii realize their
expectations continues the opinion.
Thousands viii get pothlng'
The attorney-general says the
schemes are IN effect lotteries under
the guise OF guessing contests
Postmaster General Wynne Indicated
that II was not his purpose to apply
the opinion Of Mr.. Moody lndiscriml-
nately, saying It was his Intention 10
consider each case brought before the
department on rs individual merits. II
is likely, too, that the opinion win no.
be made In any sense retroactive. 40
far as the pOstofiice department Is con-
rerned, but that 1t will be put In op-
Grafton IN such a way and acguch time
as may be least embarrassing 20 the
promoters Of, or the participants IN the
guessing contests
Postmaster- General Wynne tonight
gave out the following official state
ment;
For a number Of years the postoiIice
department has admitted to the mahs
advertisements and other matter con.
corning so-called guessing contests
The question Of whether or not these
are lotteries has been several
times presented TO the attorney general