Evening journal., 1910-08-06
Ferris Giles Says Chief
Black Approved Them;
ChiefSays the Machines
Were misrepresentation TO
Him
BOTH SIDES SET
FORTH THEIR VIEWS

Ferris Giles, in behalf Of the Car
nival Committee conducting the car
nival for the benefit of the Physicians
and Surgeons Hospital in Eighth
street park. is out with statement
TO the effect that the slot machines
seized by the police in a raid on the
carnival on Wednesday night had
been approved by Chief of Police
Black about July 20, prior to them
being installed.
Chief Black, however sets forth in
a statement today that the nature of
the machines and devices were mis-
represented to him, which he found
out after visiting the park. The
chief terms the use of the machines
and some other features a disgrace" /"
and says he has no apology to offer
for his action. The carnival commit
tees side of the affair is as follows:
Editor Of THE EVENING JOUR-
NAL:-In view of the spectacular
police interference with the carnival
held in Eighth Street Park for the
benefit Of the Physicians and Sur
geons' Hospital II appears but a
matter of simple justice that both
sides of the matter should be given
equal publicity, and the public fully
AhAOl Antu Atbdl llhB Tie tnll- = ~ AIS
action, in order that unbiased judge
ment may be passed, and the commit
tee In charge of the carnival-and
the hospital, also-may not be con-
demned off-hand.
Briefly, the history of the entire
matter is this: When it was decided
TO hold the carnival, the first matter
considered was What attractions
will we have?" Secondly, What will
be the character of those attractions? ?"
We took up the matter of the much
heralded slot machines" with Mr..
Charles Meyer, of No. 1907 Erie ave-
nue., Philadelphia. and received the
following letter from him:
"As per our conversation of this
morning, relative to operating slot
machines during the week of your
carnival, would say, I give on next
page a copy of the notice which will
be over the top of each machine. II
you have any suggestions TO make IN
the reading Of this sign, let me know
and I viii change same accord
ingly
1t would be a good idea to take
this up with your Chief OF Police anC
Prosecuting Attorney, and get theil
opinion, and l think you viii find
that for this occasion you will bs
granted the privilege of making some
money for the hospital. Kindly lei
me hear from you as soon as posi-.
fble, so that l may arrange for tbs
checks and gum.
Yours very truly.
(Signed) Charles Meyer,
1907 Erie Ave, Philadelphia
The notice, included in his letter
read as follows:
"Notice:-This is a trade machine
only. AS a consideration for the use o.
this machine package of gum is Civ
en- with every play This is not a gam
ing device. Any person desiring L
gamble must not put money in th'
machine. Purchase checks from th'
cashier"
These machines were operated il
this manner. The customer pur
chased checks from the cashier a
five cents each, a stick of chewing
gum accompanied each check. Check
We're then placed in the machine, an,
I'm return the operator stood a chanc
TO receive his check back, or several
a or none. In any case, he had re
= ceived his gum for his money. Thes
checks were also good for five cent
anywhere in the carnival, in makin
purchases.
The letter of Mr.. Meyer, with ful
explanations as to the propose
operation of the machines, was lai
before Chief of Police Black, who ap
proved their use, and, on his approx
al. the machines were installed, an
operated as above-described. Thi
was about July 20. On Monday even
ing, with two members of the Polio
Department, the committee visite
each attraction in the park and ha
each operated for the benefit of tn
police. In each instance the approx
al Of these representatives of the Pc