Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-18
THE GAMBLING EVIL

nY THE abolition of race track gam
* bling California has again IL
~ lustrated its wonderful zeal for
progress in the right direction. and
its determination to demonstrate in CIV
ilization whatsoever things are lovely,
true and of good report. The most
definite way in which these things can
be demonstrated is by the elimination
Of aught that interferes with them. III
the path of the development of Cali
fornia race track gambling was
stumbling block which happily has
been removed.
We congratulate the community on
its riddance from constant menace
to morals, honor, decency and eff
ci,ncy. Race track gamblers have had
to go. With their attendant train of
touts, thugs. blacklegs, loafers, strong
arm and holdup men and criminals
and crooks of every description they
have been banished.
Race track gambling, wherever toll
Grated, is responsible for much ire
parable evil. 1t is one of the strongest
of all the destructive forces with which
society is vexed and plagued. In Cali
fornia it has been responsible for
broken hearts, wrecked homes, ruined
lives. 1t has made defaulters and
criminals of men who could have with
stood the ordinary temptations of life
but were weaklings when gripped by
the gambling fascination.
For the banishment of race track
gambling every citizen has just cause
this day to be devoutly thankful. Los
Angeles Herald, which has worked hard
and long and earnestly to bring about
the change for the better, reJoices that
its efforts should have helped the good
result. Arthur Let's and his faithful
band of good citizens have equal cause
for rejoicing. Their labor was not
in vain. and their efforts have earned
them the gratitude of every respon-
sible self-respecting member of this
community.
And now we ask, Why not complete
the good work by putting an end TO
gambling of all kinds in Los Angeles
and California? Why not compel the
men of prey who live by their wits to
reform and go to work or leave the
state?
A general extension of the anti-gam-
bling movement would be timely. Our
new and able chief of police would
crafty every friend of decency in the
city if he were to serve warning on
all gamblers of all kinds that Los An
geles will no longer shelter them and
that if they are to be citizens of this
metropolis they must make their
crooked paths Straightforward reform
and GO TO WORK. There is plenty of
room in California for honest workers
for producers-but there is none at all
for parasites.
Gambling dens were run wide open
during the municipal administration
which went out in disgrace. Chief DISH
mans experience in police matters and
his knowledge of social conditions
doubtless have made him aware that
with one warning from him all the
gambling dens of Los Angeles will be
closed up. Let him pass the word
that gambling MUST CEASE, and
every den of iniquity will go out of
business; and the vigilance and eff
cheney which are now expected of the
reconstructed and reformed police de-
partment will doubtless keep them out
The powers that prey soon know the
temper and the temperament of
police chief. Make them aware Chief
Dishman MEANS BUSINESS-and we
are certain he does-and they will
"shut up shop" and save him the
trouble of ratding them.