The morning journal-courier., 1908-09-14
PROF. FISHER oN GAMBLING.

Professor Irving Fisher needs no introduction in the city of New Ha- ven His many public spirited inter- ests in the Elm City have accomplish ed much and he has endearad himself in the hearts of his fellow citizens h d thousand different ways,
 Professor Fishcr has now taken up new field for his civic efforts al Mar ragansctt Pier. Perhaps 1t Is because he held the chair of political economy at Yale and and Is thoroughly con yersant with his subject in Gll its de- tails that he realizes the ieplorable side of gambling Perhaps the spirit of reform in this matter is In the air, radiating possibly from the good and wise man who is al present governor of New York state, the man whom cartoonists delight 10 sketch as "Feather-du Hughes. Yet Pro- lessor Fisher goes the governor one better. The latter was actuated in his efforts to stop gambling at the race tracks not so much because he realized the inherent dangers of gam ping but because he wanted no un- reasonable exceptions at the race track side 10 the ban on gambling that existed under the general law in New York because of the existence of an evil and illogical law that made ex- captions of the places.
 Professor Fisher Is now going further than that-aiming his Narra- gansett Pier shafts against .he gam bling evil per SC as a poor economic principle In taking this stand he does not mince words In long statement just issued on the situation no says he is disgusted with present conditions at the Picr-conditions that are go bad i in his estimation, that they threaten the very existence of the place. He unqualifedly calls into question the sincerity and reliability of the prose- i cutting officers and says: Radical re- ! form is needed not only because all reputable summer visitors desire 1 reformation, but also because the Pier needs this housecleaning for the pur- pose of self-preservation. Business men at the Pier have hitherto been re- | luctant to oppose the gamblers active i ly for fear of losing their patronage. But they know that if gambling con- 1 tinues all decent patronage will be lost and legitimate business ruined. They ought now to be willing to lend their aid financially and personally to the effort to rid the place of blighting pest. We are encouraged to believe that they will rise to the occasion by the fact that some of the most far sighted of their number are already setting the example
 Professor Fishers argument is characteristic of his calling. Trained in the school of economics, he looks at gambling through the eyes of the 
 economist. His argument is the es- sence of logic If only business mon and residents everywhere would real ize what a serious and uneconomic move 1t is to allow gambling and kin dred evils within their cities or towns, aside from any moral aspects of the question, they would be quicker to move in these cases than they arc. Activities that are not elevating do not bring an elevating element In their trail. The result is simply an economic problem---the better and more desr- able elements are crowded out and property values accordingly fall. Does such a procedure pay?---is the ques- ton the Yale professor would ask. Il may be hoped the Narragansett Pier residents and others will not be slow to see the logic of his appeal and -c take appropriate action.