The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-30
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DRIVE THEM OUT!

IN an effort to stage an effective campaign
u against slot machines city. county and
state officials will enforce a state law which
levels jail sentence and fine, or both, against
persons who keep or exhibit these cheating
gambling devices.
Enforcement Of this law will loose the
brunt OF law violation punishment on the
small operator who seeks to meet his overhead
In his roadside beer joint or restaurant by
having one or more of the machines installed
while the men responsible for distribution Of
the racket devices may not be touched.
Naturally. after several of these proprietors
find themselves facing jail sentences and fines.
they and their ilk will run to cover. That they
haven't the stamina to stand up under
barrage Of criticism already has been shown
when they "jerked" the machines each time
The Times opened fire on them and their
hackers.
The operators Of these places are much like
their predecessors Of the prohibition era. In
those days the men Of this type bowed to the
sale Of liquor. by the drink or pint to offset
the expenses Of running their places.
The proposal Of the officials is commend
able except that it is necessary to point out
that they took no real action until the press
forced it. This enforcement program should
have been started months and years ago
not now.
But. believing any attempt to correct evil
is better than no effort at all, The Times
hopes the plans Of these men will bear fruit.
In this city and county there are men who
make their livelihood by distributing slot
machines from which they collect percentage
for keeping the devices in working condition
and also for reputedly keeping the agents Of
the law from crossing the thresholds of these
establishments for the purpose of graduating
the devices.
Surrounding these men is a network Of
petty crime and gambling which would amaze
the ordinary citizen if he knew to what depths
the roots of the condition are imbedded in
this community.
At one time the saloon was blamed for evil
and crime Then the poolroom and speakeasy
drew the fire. Now it is slot machines, but the
point in battling these gambling devices is
that they are not centered in one type Of
public or private place.
individuals who are sincere in their hopes
to drive out slot machines fail to realize the
extent to which the devices have been
distributed You can find them in the grocery,
the drug store. beer parlors. poolroom, club
room and any number of places where the
suckers gather long enough to pay profits to
the owners and operators.
There is a place in Marion county, north
west of the city. which because of its location
in the village practically is the gathering place
for the residents of the community.
Into this building come children to buy
their candy, their tops. their marbles and their
pencils for school.
Housewives of the community make their
purchases of foodstuffs, meats and thread in
this place.
And the men enter to purchase tobacco
gasoline for their cars and an occasional glass
OF beer.
On display so that no customer can miss
the opportunity to squander his nickels, is
slot machine 1t is not an exceptional machine.
It's the usual kind with the customers stand
ing one chance in thousands to win anything
but exercise by pulling the handle.
The presence Of this machine does the
community no good. It does the proprietor
some good. of course but it is not conducive
TO legitimate business in worthy community.
That this machine has been permitted to
operate along with scores Of others in the
county is a direct indictment against Sheriff
Charles CBuck) Sumner and his deputies.
There is no honest reason-not even the
~>--sau force of deputies available-for him to
condone the continued operation of slot
machines in this county. If Mr.. Sumner ever
considered calling for volunteer deputies he
might find a surprising large force willing to
aid him in cleaning up the situation. Before
he leaves Office he may be faced with such an
emergency and call for volunteers. The
present situation comes as near being public
emergency as any that might occur during his
regime.
Now that the authorities have taken one
step. it is time for them to take the second.
It will be a big one - probably the biggest
when politics in Marion county is considered.
But. why not take it2 1t viii be worth
while to thousands of people who have been
svindled and who will be without protection
until the big time operators in the slot
machine racket are out Of the way
FOREVER.
TUE CIN-ET AID cTCNr