El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-06-18
Gaming FeUer
Spread By The
Stamp Wheels
Many Now Buying Stamps
At Discount, CONNER
cializing the Affair.

I to be bought solely through patriotic
motives. and as soon as possible ex-
changed for war savings stamps. have
become so commercialzed in FL Pasl
that they are now bought sold or
traded I'm in much the same way as
ordinary stocks or bonds.
Pawush0ps are reaping a harvest
by buving these stamps at a discount
OF about 10 per cent Prominent cltl-
zeus with much ready cash are IN
dulging in the same pronteering prac-
tice.
This commerciausm is the direct re-
suit of the efforts of particularly IN
clined citizens 10 dispose OF large
quantities Of these stamps by wheels
OF chance. The idea was conceived
here following the Introduction or me
method in certain Arizona cities TO
was taken NJ here in the laudaole en-
deavOr 10 raise El Paso.s quota
Both sexes Play.
The wheels Of chance were almost
instantly seized upon. by many VINO
placed their sense Of gambling far
above their patriotism At first only
men patrOuiZed these wheels they
were expected to save the stamps,
and when they had sufficient numbers
exchange them for war savings
stamps and keep them until they ma
tured
After few DAYS women began pat
ronizing the wheels. Their successes
so imbued young girls and boys that
they INDUCED in the sport o- buyiuS
a paddle watching the little white
ivory bail round around the wheel
and when IL dropped into pocket
looking earnestly TO see II they nad
won, or eagerly watching 20 see where
the pointer might stop on other old
time gambling devices
The Old Gambling Spirit.
There is little Of no patriotism
manifested on the part Of many They
hope % win nine 20 one. and then dis
pose Of their winnings at discount
of S2.25 worth Of stamps for s. cash
With many Of the patrons OF these
wheels il is seemingly not a patriotic
effort on their part TO help II PasO
reach its quota, OF which it is far be-
hind, but an opportunity 10 gamble
This spirit Of gambling grew apace
with the spreading OF the news that
pawnshops or certain individuals
would pay cash for stamps. IL was
even stated that these stamps could
be redeemed at their face value o.
the p0stOffice-
This latter statement is untrue. The
thrift stamps have no value at the
pOstoffice. It's only the war saw
iugs stamps that are redeemable.
Tries to Get Cash.
Monday morning a well dressed man
presented himself at the stamp win
dow at the postoffice and asked for
500 cash in exchange Tor 500 worth
Of thrift stamps There were nine
stamps in each small white envelope.
indicating that he had either won
them at one OF the wheels or bought
them from others who had paronized
the gambling devices
This man grew very angry when In
formed that his stamps were not re-
deemable. He was told that he must
first paste them in the folder pro-
vided by the government for that pur-
pose have the folder properly filled
in. and make a certain cash payment
according 70 the rules Of the depart
menL Then these folders must be ex-
changed for war savings stamps.
vs. hen this has B. cen done. the owner is
In position 10 demand their face
value But this can not be realized
short Of ten days
Collecting on the Stamps
II is first necessary for the holder
lf the war savings stamps TO write
the postmaster that he has a certain
amount of war savings stamps which
be wishes 10 surrender At the eE-
1lrarlon Of ten days he or she can
receive their money.
This scheme OF raising El Paso's
quota Of thrift stamps By means OF
wheels has degenerated into a reEu-
ar gambling affair." it was stated at
The posrorfice Monday morning The I
spirit Of the thing is all right but &c 4
has been so debauched In this city
hat we are surprised that the gov I
.rnment does not put stop TO il.
The government quickly stopped I
he chain letter 10 sell stamps. which I
sn't gambling, but it permits the use .
u wheels on the streets. where most 4
~ the players play their money not I
rom seeming patriotic spirit, but .
q the hope OF winning nine TO one.
nd as quickly as possible sell their I
lamps to profiteers at a cash dis
cunt
Gaming Fever Spreads.
The whole affair has degenerated I
nto commercialism. a regular gam
bling fever is spreading over the city.
ngulfinE not only men and women
ut little boys and girls
The thrift stamp and the war saw
ngs stamps are emblems Of patriot
SIN. stand for a cause that seeks the
reedom Of the world from Prussiau-
SIN and the domination OF the hor-
iole Hun. and IL does seem a shame
o see them gambled for and then
raded in as so many stocks and
onds that perhaps have no future
liability