The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1920-07-21
Letters From,
The People
LABOR OFFICIAL GIVES
VIEWS ON GAMBLING



July 20. 1920.
To the Editor Of the Herald"
Dear Sir:
In view Of the proceedings Of the
city council on Monday evening. tho
following facts may be enlightening:
First, the exact wording of q reso-
luton adopted unanimously by the
Central Labor council. at It's meeting:
Resolved: That the Klamath
Falls Central Labor council places
s;seH On record - being III favor Of
the suppression OF gambling, and
be II further
Resolved: That this Central
Labor council In opposed to the
removal OF chairs or seats from
public places, as a means to pre-
vent gambling In such public
places.
The writer. as secretary. was dele
gated to lay before the city council
the resolution adopted by the labor
council. This was done. Subsequent
ly. the writer was granted the privi-
lege OF addressing the city council,
and. In the course Of short address,
pleaded for the retention Of chairs
and other seating Accommodations in
public places. This was in line with
the resolution adopted by the labor
council. The faliacy OF attempting to
prevent gambling by the removal Of
furniture was pointed out.
Now In reference to percentage and
rake-off gambling: II Ii my personal
opinion-and the opinion OF practice
ally every working man with whom I
come In contact--that q professional.
tin-horn gambler. steerer or cappsr.
is the absolutely lowest form Of
human life: q leech, parasite. and
non-producer. and q detriment to any
community that tolerates his pres
ence.
This is illustrated forcibly by our
own experience. know that the
word has been passed along the line
to Reno and similar centers. that this
Is live. wide-opeu" town. This has
had the effect Of attracting an unds.
sirable element into our community.
II is indeed strange to me. that the
complaining Of the falling
off In business have failed to connect
this condition with the wide-opsn
gambling that has prevailed for the
past two months or 20. This 10 the.
peak" OF the season In the lumber
Industry; the time when purchasing
should be brisk. But, due to the
from circulation by the
gamblers Of . large amount Of money.
less clothing. furnishings. watches
and other similar articles OF apparel
and adornment are being purchased
by the working men. and this simply
because . man can't spend In a store.
money that gamblers have taken
from him.
This is one factor OF the situation
that the business man should not lose
sight OF. irrespective OF his feelings
On other matters not now under dis
There never was a greater
Iallacy than the oft-repeated claim
hat "wide-open town" is good for
business.
In closing. will state that the
most significant fact in connection
with the whole matter is that, ON
Tuesday. the goth. gambling ceased
n this city. SO far as public places
we're concerned. this proves conclu-
'ively that gambling can be sup
PRESSED. without wreaking vicarious
vengeance upon chairs. tables and
'ther inanimate accessories of furni-
ure.
Whether this cessation OF gambling
permanent Qr.0nly temporary. de-
'ends upon the public conscience,
which is being awakened to the evil
n our midst.
Thanking you for the privilege ac-
'orded me, in placing my personal
Jews upon record. I remain,
Very Sincerely. o
w. F. KAY.