Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-08-31
GAMBLING

1At tIln AIlDOy GIN StbIlS U bt III udlu
luck. Somebody, apparently. has a grudge
against them.
All summer long various carnivals and festi-
walls are held at which there are all kinds of
gambling going on. No complaint, evidently. is
made against them and nothing is done to stop
them. But just as soon as the fremen announce
a carnival where wheels of chance are to be OPP
Grated someone takes it upon himself to write
The prosecutor who is duty bound to take notice.
Gambling is bad and unlawful no matter I'M
der whose auspices it is conducted. However, it
is human nature to gamble. There is a certain
chance in everything one does. Life itself, in
- sense, is a gamble. But the form of gambling
that is most harmful is the public sort where
&inen are ictimized and induced to part with
their money when it is known that they cannot
afford to do so. Deception and fraud are used
and the whole thing is degrading.
But gambling is a favorite way to raise money.
Even governments that now prohibit gambling
used to use lotteries to raise funds. The aver
age person is always ready to take a chance.
Because Of this human tendency, whenever
any organization desires to raise money some
form of gambling is resorted to. 1t may be
nothing more than a harmless "grab-bag' at
a Sunday school festival, or selling tickets for
a drawing on an automobile, but it is gambling
just the same.
OF course, the average person is able to dis
criminate. But the law cannot discriminate.
Justice must treat all alike. Naturally. abuses
creep in.
There is A. difference between a 'grab-bag' at
4, Sunday school festival or selling tickets for a
drawing for an automobile for some worthy
--..o .oa +ha ~ nerria1 form of rambling by
which men make a living travelling from city to
city, operating all forms of gambling devices
and walk off with the lions share of the pro-
ceeds. Then, too. there are the professional
~uambleral the crap shooters and the shell
game" all of which are decidedly Objectionable
But the police. although quick enough TO
break un a crap game or close a professional
house, Would not think of raiding a SUNDAY
school teetival because it is conducting a grab
rifndSr holding a contest for a pillow. Like
rayise, il some local organization sets people TO
ringing canes or spinning a wheel to win a poA
~ candy there is no disposition on the part OF
The authorities to interfere.
However, it is all a violation of the law and IL
complaint is made about it the authorities are
hound to act or stand convicted of neglect OF
dutv- While, under ordinary circumstances
such matters would be ignored, once a COM
,,.ir+ is made and the attention of the authori-
ties ;s directed to the violation there is nothing
to do but stop it, as harmless as it may be.
prosecutor Stricken has had his attention
drawn to the gambling that has been gong Oh
vt a carnival at Woodbridge and which the Pefth
Amboy fremen engaged to come mere. fe mas
IN accordance with his duty, notified the local
authorities that the breaking of the law must
cease. Naturally, there is some resentment.
IT would seem almost as If the only time that
official action is taken to stop carnivals is "heh
the Perth Amboy, fremen attempt to run one
Attention has been called to the fact that only
!, short time ago a carnival, at which gambling
was the main feature. was conducted in South
Ambov and there was no interference.
The prosecutors office expects each munlcl-
nalitv TO see tAat the law is enforced. 1t is only
when complaint comes to his Office that he feels
ca,led upon to take notice of the negligence on
ma mart of local law enforcing auth critics.
Regardless of what opinion we NAV have OIL
travelling carnivals, gambling Is gambling nc
matter by whom it is carried on. 1t seems rather
unfair 10 let so many events of this kind get by
ana begin to enforce the law only when the
Perth Amboy fremen attempt to do something
someone WIN dlN - iANAc W NN'
but who seems to have a grudge against the Perth
Amboy Fire Department, makes it his business
10 notify the prosecutor. If there is any other rea-
son for his action, why does he wait until the sum-
mer is nearly over, ignoring all other similar
events. only to get busy when the fremen are
ready for their turn? 1t looks as II there was
more malice in his act that a desire to stop law
lessness.
The EVENING NEWS cannot be accused OIL
being friendly to the carnivals, This newspaper
has expressed it's opinion of these events On
many occasions. Nevertheless, it believes IN a
square deal for all, and it does not IKE
TO see some sorehead make a catspaw OF the
Jaw to work out his personal spite against a
particular organization.
Let the law against gambling be strictly en-
forced. bv all means. 1t is the only way to have
= law-abiding community. But in enforcing the
law there ought to be no discrimination.
SENATOR BROWNS ANNOUNCEMENT
Senator Browns announcement that he Will