The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-03-06
HALF MILLION IN SMALL COINS
Slot Machines Net Colossal Rev.
enue to Owners
INTERESTING FIGURES COMPILED
TWO CARD WHIRLERs IN ONE
SALOON GAVE CLEAR PROFIT
OF SIS A DAY.
INTERESTING FIGURES COMPILED

| IAOOMA, MdICIl u He i6ht tA~s
is being waged by certain element of
saloon keepers and cigar store men
against the powers that have decreed
that they must close their shops on
Sunday is not only being fought on
that account but because the order car
ries with it an edict against gambling
and is directed principally against slot
| Up to the time the order abolishing
slot machines and gambling was made
! by Major Wright and Prosecuting At
torney Rowland, with but few eXcep-
| tons every saloon and every cigar
| store had gambling machines on their
counters. Or allowed games of chance
such as black jack, poker and others to
be played in their back rooms.
The revenue of the establishments
was not derived from the sale of ci-
gars or even liquor. Slot machines
were the dividend makers. On that
account rents were raised, far out Of
proportion to leSseeS of well situated
cigar stores or saloons On this ac-
count the dealers say so per cent, of
the saloons and cigar stores will have
to go out of business if gambling, in
the form Of slot machines is not per-
mitted.
Figures furnished by men who were
aware of Tacoma and Pierce county
conditions are to the effect that over
$500 900 year went to enrich the own
ers of slot machines in the city and
county. Some men place the amount
a double the sum stated.
prominent liquor dealer in the city
estimates that two machines operated
in one of his establishments netted
him $75 day-an average of $3.50
on each machine The figures given
by the saloon keeper are verified by
owners of the larger cigar stores in
the city, who estimate that each of
their machines Melted them $35 a day.
The confiscation of slot machines
caused a protest to authorities from
men of all classes and conditions of
society. Real estate men who feared
the loss Of their tenants. department
store men Who suffered loss Of trade
and others registered protests.
Prosecuting Attorney II. G. Rowland
when shown figures on gambling in
the county said:
Figures Conservative
Il think that the figures shown me
are entirely too conservative Inform
alton that l have at hand leads me to
believe that twice the amount you
have mentioned would be far below the
real figures.
Il think that the wide open policy
formerly in effect in Tacoma is bad
and vicious. 1t is a defiance of the
law. Children can't but help come in
contact with vicious element
"A wide open town teaches children
irreverence and an absolute disregard
of authority. They are unmindful of
parental control, and are generally in
corrigble. In many parts of the city
we see evidence that a race Of young
vandals is being reared. A vacant
building left for four weeks has every
window broken.
Property is being stolen by young
thieves; the railroad yards Of the city
are infested with young hoodlums. who
rob box cars and frequently spend SEX
eral nights a week away from home
and in the yards.
There is marked contrast between
| the children of American cities and
Canadian cities. 1t may safely be said
! mat there is far more regard for au-
thority in British than in American
| territory Cities like Toronto, Hamil-
ton, Vancouver and Victoria have not
near the number of incorrigibles in
the police courts as in the courts of
our cities of equal size The children
Of British subjects, as a rule, have
! more wholesome regard for authority
mere Is no DOUBT IN the world that
if the city's laws had been properly
enforced; if the saloons had been re-
quired to close at midnight, if not ear
| Her and kept closed Sundays: If the
! statutes against gambling had been
enforced. it is but reasonable to sup
I pose there would have been less temp
| tation put before children whose home
surroundings are not of the best.
IF the laws are enforced MANY of
! these temptations will be removed
! That Is the reason for the present
! campaign"