Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-28
OUT TO FIGHT
GAMBLING AT
RACE TRACKS
MONSTER MEETING HELD AT
TEMPLE AUDITORIUM
PUBLIC MEN AND MINISTER'S
MAKE STRONG SPEECHES
Los Angeles and Alameda Counties
the Only Ones in United States
That Have Continuous
Racing

The spirit of the church militant pre-
pairing for battle was that which was
manifested yesterday afternoon at the
aI1ti-race track and anti-gambling mass
meeting held in Temple auditorium
under the auspices of the civic right
eousness committee of the Los An
geies church federation.
With stirring addresses, the singing
OF patriotic songs and militant hymns,
closing with the unanimous adoption
of pointed resolutions, representatives
OF the churches of Los Angeles yester-
day set their seal to the warfare that
is to be waged on the race tracks in
general and Arcadia in particular by
the church people Of Los Angeles.
Despite the attractions of the Occ1-
dental hotel fire, only block distant,
which was at its most exciting point
at the time of the opening of the mass
meeting, the main floor of the temple
was completely filed. On the stage
were seated prominent ministers and
politicians.
It was a combination of church and
the better element in politics yesterday
afternoon, all working for the sup
preston of the same evil. e. A. Me-
serve, who was the presiding officer
OF the afternoon, has served in that
capacity Ill great DOlillCdl COINSHllOAlS.
He made an ideal officer, ably intro
ducing the speakers, and making a
short address in which he set the case
before his audience in clear concise
terms.
After an organ solo by Mr.. Falls,
organist of the temple, Nathan Newly.
chairman of the civic righteousness
committee, made a short address in
which he said racing, the so-called
sport of kings" had no place in a
republic. In a few words he outlined
the purpose of the mass meeting and
introduced Mr.. Meserve as president.
The latter then gave the history of the
anti-race track movement and de-
scribed the work to be done.
Started at Convention
This movement was started two
years ago in the Republican conven-
tion at Venice he said. That con-
vention sent forth a decree to Califor-
mia that the gambling evil, as carried
on at a race track, had to stop. A
resolution was adopted, and those men
worked in the interest of the anti
race track law.
''Those men came back and asked
for a decree. Again last August a
strong antf-race and gambling plank
was inserted in the platform.
Il believe that race track gambling
is one Of the greatest evils that ex-
lists The first evil. I believe, is the
open saloon. and the second is con-
tinuous racing, as carried on in Los
Angeles and Alameda counties. As
FAR as ! know there are no places in
the World such as Emeryyille and Ar
-Casl3a These two counties-Los An
gels ard Aiameda-bOast of their mo-
Fszzry. their intellectually and the
lzrgs memberships in the churches.
yet In these counties exist the only two
~warf-u in 70 mi cd
States
-Ameriea- was sung by the choir
Of the First Methodist church. the
congregation standing. after which
Rev E. P. Ryland. president of the
Federation, offered prayer.
Address by Or. Locke
DR.. Charles Edward Locke, pastor of
the First Methodist church, was the
next speaker, taking the place on the
program Of Rev. Robert Burdette, who
had not arrived. DR.. Locke made a
stirring address, creating much en-
thusiasm.
I'VE are too tolerant with those who
do not believe in and break the law,
he said. Il have a notion that if the
whole state should arise en- masse and
declare the evil should be stopped it
would be.
1--WE preach our sermons, go to
11luAHAA anu ll4AAlh that the NOIlu 10
getting better. We believe in evolu-
ton so thoroughly these days and let
it rest that way. ! am not in favor
of war but I am not unfayorable when
it is necessary. 1 think the time will
come when we should wear a sword.
Down in the state of Louisiana the
Louisiana lottery was driven out by
the action of the people, and, COM
pared to the race track it had many
reasons to exist. They kept up the
ldrks, opened hospitals and did many
other deeds of charity, whereas the
rack track has no such assets.
what we have to fight is the same
old devil in a new form, but it is the
devil just the same. We might Just as
well make up our minds to get in fight
ing trim.
II am against the rack track be-
cause am in favor of the home. Like
all evils, it reaches the home sooner
or later. am against it because it is
against good citizenship and against
individual character.
Another Bunker Hill
''At the dedication of Bunker Hill
monument, when the crowd was surg
ing up around the frail platform and
a great disaster seemed imminent,
Webster went forward and asked the
people not to crowd around. He was
BILE to help it. The great American
went to the edge and said: Men,
nothing is impossible on Bunker Hill.
'"We have found a hill that has had
a cross on it, and we should go forth
with the cry that nothing is impossi-
BILE on Calvary hill.'
State Senator N. w. Thompson, VINO
worked for the bill as an assemblyman,
was the next speaker. He said: II
have done what could for the bill, but
IL the people in California who believe
this evil should be put aside would rise
and demand it's discontinuance ii would
be done. Meetings like this should be
held throughout the state. and the peo-
Die, through the newspapers should be
thoroughly informed of the movement
Preference has been made to the
work for the bill. Opposed to it are
powerful interests. They know or care
nothing for fairness--what they want is
racing What we want is to put it out
OF business.
IF the good people will make theii
wants known the law will be enacted
and. once for all, we will settle the
question"
IN introducing Rev. DR.. Robert J
8urdette, Mr.. Meserve made humorous
illusions to his popularity and said he
wished that Dr. Burdette would run fol
ofIice and let him (Meserve) act as
manager, for al he would have to dc
would be TO stay at home and count
f4.n votes