The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-09-04
INQUIRIES MADE
In DRIVE AGAINST
Slot MACHINES
SHOWN THAT 1T Is PROPOSED
TO HOLD REFERENDUMs IN
VARIOUS COUNTIES IN NO
MEMBER ELECTION

An organization working under
the title of The Florida Anti-SlOt
Machine Organization Is cam
paigning against the slot machine
evil throughout the state and
has communicated with local off
Gals asking what has been done
in Monroe county.
1t is proposed to hold referen-
dums in certain counties. or all
counties, and assurance is given
that if expectations develop, 20
per cent of the voters IN each
county will have signed a petition
in time for the election in No
vember.
In a Communication to the
county commissioners this ques-
ton was asked: Has an anti-si0t
machine petition been received
here and when will it be ready.
1t was stated that no petition Of
this nature has been received IN
Monroe, and no information con-
corning same.
Asks For Analysis
In connection with slot ma
chimes operations in Monroe conn
ty Commissioner VIM X. Porter
has asked for an analysis OF the
Slot Machine Act OF 1885, stating
at the time he asked for this Opin-
ion to be furnished by County
Attorney Arthur Gomez, that he
did not believe the proper revenue
was being obtained for the opera
ton Of these machines in this
county.
Mr.. Gomez furnished the re-
quested analysis, classifying ma
chimes as: /. Automatic Vending
Machines; 2. Skill Machines: B.
Trade Machines. 4. Other ma
chimes than those classed as Auto
matte Skill and Trade Machines.
The act defines two classes OF
types of operators. Operators
and Location Operators.
IAN operator is one who rents
OF leases out to another either o.
the machines classified; and such
operator is required 10 pay 10
the state, County and City, license
fees as follows:
"To the State, $50.
"To the County. SIS.
To the City, SIS"
The attorney then advises: ION
investigation / find that no such
license has ever been issued to
any individual. firm or corpora
ton"
A location operator is defined
as one renting or leasing a ma
chine, or machines. or one. who
individually owns the machine
and operates it in his or her place
o. business. Such location opera
tor IS required to pav TO the State
County and City license fees in
the manner following"
For automatic vending machines
which fall within classification l:
$50 to the state, SIS to the county
and SIS to the city.
Status OF Operations
Mr.. Porter then said that some
person or persons must own the
machines but no one was paying
the required license. All Of the
machines in use were being leased
and operators were paying the
$50, SIS and SIS licenses
Mr.. Gomez stated that the same
condition prevails in Miami which
has in the supreme court a case
based on the slot machine act and
claims that the ordinary ''cOin
operated slot machines should pay
the amount Of licenses fees set
forth under classification and
referred to as other machines
than those defined under other
classifications." The contention
by Miami is that these machines
should therefore pay to the State.
$500; County. $3.50, and City.
$3.50. or $1,000 in all.
1.-THE state comptroller has de-
clared that the ordinary coin
operated slot machine classified
ton /" Mr.. Gomez. "As a matter
of fact / cannot by any stretch o.
the imagination understand what
'other machines means unleas
same refers to ordinary coin
operated slot machines.
Further on in the analysis: NJ
personal opinion is that the DOsi-
ton taken by the city Of Miami
is correct, or at least surh aD-i
peared to me to be the intent OF
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