The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-05-23
TUESDAY. MAY %. 1893
SMASH THEM

DFtOoECO1OR HERBERT WILSON his
deputies, and indianapolis police per-
formed real service to the community Mon
day, one that has been needed for years. when
they launched their campaign against the
Slot machine evil
They should continue their smash against
this form Of indoor robbery until the last ma
chine is on the city scrap heap And along
with the machines on their way to the Junk
pile should go the crooked politicians who
have fattened their bank rolls with the
pennies nickels dimes, and quarters which
have rolled into and out of the Unsuitable NAV
Of these sure-thng devices.
It is doubtful If there has been day in
the last five years when these machines have
not been operated in city and county, many
under cover and many in open and brazen
defiance Of the law
SO rapacious have the operators become
that they have installed them in drug stores
and lunch rooms in the neighborhood of grade
and high schools, even descending to the ma
chimes that strip pupils Of the pennies that
would pay for their lunches
The slot machine player, in the long run,
play it once drop in a couple Of quarters, hit
the IS combination, and quit. But not one
player in a score will do this, AS sure as he
stays with this game of chance he will feed
back his winnings and whatever other money
he has in his pocket.
Compared with the slot machine, roulette
craps and chuck-a-luck are safe and honest
games. The percentage for the house in hon
est roulette is SIG. Honest dice and nor
NAL craps layout, will favor the house by less
percentage, but good enough to yield neat
profit.
At chuck-a-luck or hazard, the house col
lects on all trebles and earns a fair percent
age But there always is the chance of
streak of luck, with the gamester going away
with killing
But with the slot machine there is no such
chance. Not only is the percentage dead
against the player, but even dive keeper of
the lowest intelligence can fix one. Not only
can, but often does.
Many roadhouse keepers in this county
might testify, if they did not fear to do SO,
that slot machines have been forced into
their places of business. There has been no
lack of them in the county for years. Slot
machines also have been operated III many
downtown establishments continually for
years
1t is extremely doubtful if their presence
and operation will come as a surprise to GER
tain county offcials-and city and state Of
ficials also If they have been unaware OF
the condition, they are too dumb to be hold
ing public Office. If they have been aware
of it, they are unfit to hold public office.
Gambling never will be stamped out Of this
community or any other community. CRU
sades may drive it to cover for a few days
or a few weeks but there always is the urge
In any normal human being to take chance,
whether it is for a few dimes on bridge
game or at rhum or maybe playing the ponies.
Put there is no element of chance in
slot machine It is not a gamble. 1t is rob-
berry. The hijacker and the footpad must
have at least a moment Of courage, no mat
Ter of how low brand. But the dive keeper
who sits like a greedy buzzard by his ln1ernal
machine and watches it take IL the pennies
that should go to noursh school children and
the nickels and dimes that should go nome
with the workingman to feed his family does
not need even spark of courage.
All he needs is the lack Of conscience that
let's him rake in his dirty profits and split
them with politician who is even lower and
dirtier than the machine that is his symbol