South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-01-08

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What the Story Was.
The story as originally published
was TO the effect that saloons. cigar
stores, etc. had been given orders
that the saloon must close at proper
legal hours. and that all gambling de-
vices, such as punch boards, slot ma
chimes, dice shaking and card play
ing. operating for rewards must cease.
This was delivered in some parts OF
the city Monday night. following the
mayors address before the police de
partment at the city hall.
Tuesday night, as the story goes a
modification followed the order ex-
empting dice and card games where
the reward was to be drinks or cigars.
and not money. 1t is the public no
tice of this exemption that aroused
the Indignation Of the law-enfOrce-
ment supporters of the citizens
movement that resulted in Mayor
Keller's election, and started the tele-
phone bells ringing.
Mayor Pleads for Time.
What is the situation with regard
to your gambling orders?" Mayor
Keller was asked, when interviewed
at his Office.
You mean about shaking dice and
playing cards for drinks, and so
FORTH"
Yes"
We haven't got to that yet, but IL
viii be taken up at the meeting of
the board Friday and disposed Of"
But has permission been given 10
anyone to shake dice or play cards
Tor cigars or drinkS?"
There was not. The order was
that they must not play for money"
John Hibberd, who is a member
OF the board, says 1t is his idea that
II two men want to go into a saloon
or cigar store and shake dice or play
game Of cards to see which shall
pay for the drinks, they should not
be interfered, but that If the
house takes a hand, then il is pro-
hibited. Is that your idea?"
We'll, there has been some talk
along that line, but the matter has not
been disposed of"
HAS the board talked the question
over, or taken vote on it?'
"It has not We decided first to
close the saloons and get rid of the
slot machines, and take up these other
matters later"
How does it come that the order
was given TO saloons and cigar stores
to stop all gambling and use of
gambling devices, followed by q later
explanation TO the effect that playing
at cards and dice for cigars or drinks
need not be discontinued? ?"
81 know of no such order or eX-
PLANTATION"
but the order and explanation is
I'VE have not decided about play
ing at cards and dice for trade re-
wards as yet, said"
rs it possible that the chief Of 20
lice directed the hrst order, and then
finding il too sweeping for as far as
the board had gone, he made a sup
Elementary order TO his men to with
draw part OF il by explaining II
away?"
That may be the case"
do you know who called the at
tention Of the chief of police TO such
mistake. is one was made ?"
Il cannot say. You may tell the
people that if they will but wait until
we get to it things VIII probably iron
out all right
1T looks TO us as though you had
gotten past it, remarked the re-
porter.
Leave it to US" said the mayor,
and the interview was at an end.
Action of Board a Compromise.
Whether Mayor Keller with his
usual political sagacity secured the
exemption of trade reward dice and
card games in the boards anti
gambling order, just TO see whether
the public was asleep and would not
see ii. or seeing il would stand for Il
is a matter OF speculation, but II IS
definitely known that when the
gambling order was up for discussion,
there was a difference OF opinion with
regard to making il general
Pres. Augustine was Tor d genera
order. and the mayor, and members
Hibberd and Smoger favored proceed
ing as II by jerks. the limited prohiOl-
ton being inserted temporarily 10 see
whether the exempted element would
be abused
Whether Pres. Augustine was sup
posed TO bite on that temporary
bait until the possibility Of abuse or
objection could be settled, and then
public sentiment permitting, It's per
manency was 10 be established, IS also
a matter OF conjecture.
Pres. Augustine declines 10 discuss
the question other than 10 state tna+
he stands for a sweeping order against
All kinds OF gamb bling and always has
Member Hfbberd, however, has ex-
dressed himself as not obJecung 70 Two
or more patrons OF q. place playing
cards or shaking dice for trade, as
long as the house does not take a nand
other than 10 make the sales
Member Smoger, like the mayor
wants discussion Of the matter ad-
iourned until after the Friday meet
ing.
Meanwhile gambling for trade, as
long as slot machines. or other me-
chsnicaI devices are not used. goes on