The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-06-19
THE FIGHT ON THE sLoT'MAcHNEs

we'll has made public statement IN "hfeH
no declares that the licensing OF si0s ma
chimes by the State does not make the eP-
GRAFTON of these machines lawful state
license to operate these machines can DC
ATTAINED, but that does not 'nuiiity the
statute which makes the operation OF sio'
machines unlawful Ia. q" .EA>, '-''' -
This is not news in the courts, however:
Pie contention In regard to 'licenSHg" mas
been advanced by slot machine operators
and their friends in the fight to pre-
vent the machines from being outiawea
throughout the State. 1t is a contention
that will not be upheld in the courts sac
3 The fight to rid the State Of the slot
machine evil is Increasing in intensity. u
is being waged in 'fiia1y"commnnities, 10y
individuals and newspapers. The State
Carl Goetch's magazine published IN Ma
leieb. in q late issue, devoted the first page
of the magazine to- the slot machine evil:
This article demands the attention OF the
people of North Carolina. THE Times
News gives spaee,to it and urges readers
to give it careful attention 1t is as follows !:
cone of the most striking cases of negligence
ever permitted to exist in North Carolina is that
which involves the operation of the thousands OF
slot machines in All sections Of the state, -.
sTalk about highway robbery! Robin Hood, IN
his day and time, was piker compared VITA 'neSs
machines.
Respectable business men have set up These
coutraptons in their stores and offices with WITH tn'
deliberate intention of rohbng those who come IN
Whenever YOU see one Of, these slot machines
ven can take Il for granted that the man who per
nniEtsd its installation has absolutely no consldera
ton for his friends. He is perfectly willing fol-
them to be robbed. He actually encourages the
robbing process .,.
isThe assumption therefore, is that if he viii
rob you that way, he also will rob you in some
Other way if the opportunity arises.
Rather startling way of looking at it, but its
true, nevertheless.
'"Fhe slot machines now being operated in North
Carolina represent the greatest graft which ever
has been permitted to go unchecked in this state.
The odds against the person playing them are 3
and to /. There are. many Of these machines
which pay from $50 to 500 week to those who
coqtrol them. It's the most wonderful-we might
say .awesome-hold-up game ever to have been de-
veioped.
Young boys and girls, are among those who
play the machines The interesting part about this
IS that the habit of gambling is instilled in then
at an early age. The slot machine beckons to then
from all sides. It's lot of fup--ipsert nickel
pull down the crank, and watch the lemons, plums
cherries and oranges #hirl around, ,,c,...,.
FRS 9 lot of fun to throw <ifteen, or: tWent,
n8kels in the machine aud then exclaime eAciteds
when three or four checks are received in Return
Regardless of how much money. may have bee
put into the slot, there's always feeling of hay
ing triqmphed when q snail refund is obtained.
"once in great while, the operator succeed
in landing jack pot. This-for some reason 9
other-is considered one Of life's outstandin
achievements. It is something to brag about 40
weeks to come. The thing which the average play
er does not brag about, however is how. much
cost him to land that Jack pot, And another thin
about which there is very little Dragging is ho'
much Of the money which was won in this fashio
was immediately played. hack into the, mashitp
again. 90 Soc. ~. ~, ~, .g. ,..,s. .s..
"It is supposed to be strictly against the Ia
to operate these, machines fer gambling purpose
They're gambling devices, pure, and simple. IN
only that. but they don't give the PLAYER a sqpal
chance or an even break. They're just plsi
straightforward out-and-out devices for, rebber
Apd yet, despite al this, they continue 70 Aspfi
in all parts of the state. They aid in bringn
about disrespect for all laws and law-enforeeme