Evening star., 1938-02-07


bition, he predicted similar effect
unenforceable gambling laws.
The Philadelphia Representative
said he thought the pending amend
ment to the District lottery law was
intended to punish the player of the
numbers, in which event it would
be no more effective than prohibition
had been in stopping drink.
Perhaps. he said, legalizing the game
may be solution. though he did not
know that this would be a remedy
and offered it merely as a suggestion.
Opposed to Game.
Mr.. Sacks statement follows:
Il am opposed to the numbers
game. Everybody understands that
the numbers game or the policy game
y another form Of gambling. and
gambling Is as old Is the world. 1t
seems most peculiar, in looking back
on history. that in every age and era
there have been numerous attempts
made to wipe out gambling with but
little success. People seem to keep
playing games of chance OF some form
or other regardless OF the law. For
instance, in my short existence on
earth 1 have heard year in and year
out opposition to horse recing. Every
now and then there has been . drive
against this, laws have been passed to
strengthen the criminal code 50 as to
prevent bookmaking, yet it continues
to flourish and dare say that it con-
tinues on even . greater scale since
the passage of these laws.
Il would favor any reasonable law
that would strengthen the enforce
ment Of the law against the numbers
and bookmaking. but I am wondering
If it Is possible to enact such . law.
Il recall IN attempt being made by
the Federal Government to regulate
what was known as an evil or moral
violation Of the rules OF society, to-
vit-that great experiment Of ma
tional prohibition, wherein the laws
were strengthened to such an extent
that those favoring prohibition thought
that we could forever wipe out drink
ing.
Purposes Defeated.
Besides failing in its purpose, 1t
brought into existence a super-struc-
ture of rackets which everybody knows
attained its heights in the years from
1875 to 1888 Not only did the Gov
ernment lose the revenue which it
had derived from the regulation of the
manufacture and sale of liquor, but
the very purposes Of the law were de-
feated and drinking went on through
out the country in greater volume,
needless Of the law. I might add that
some of our best families continued
openly but discreetly to flout the acts
Of Congress and the various acts Of
the State Legislatures, bearing upon
the manufacture and sale Of intoxi-
eating liquors.
This was an attempt to regulate
human conduct along the lines SIM
liar to the regulation Of gambling. I
might also add that during this great
experiment it was discovered that
youth was introduced to the evils Of
liquor to a much greater extent than
In the generation preceding, when 1t
was regulated by Government, but al
lowed to be manufactured and sold.
This, to my mind, discloses the fact
that where Government attempts to
prohibit conduct Of the individual for
centuries old it fails in its attempt.
I'VE have had all sorts Of laws
against gambling on our statute books
for years, and do not recall any
such law that has even decreased, let
alone prohibited, the amount Of gam
bling that went on in community.
And might suggest that in my opin-
ion there are enough laws on the books
today, If properly enforced. to do
whatever is humanity possible for the
Government to do to stamp out gam
bling, ana I doubt If any other law
that might be passed would further
prevent gambling.
Willing to Go Along.
II have read the act passed by the
Senate for the purpose Of strength
ening the criminal code Of the Dis
trict, so as to prohibit the numbers
game. also have read the several
bills which have been introduced in
the House for the same purpose. I
would be willing to 60 along with any
of these measures. In the hope that it
would put . stop to this vicious game.
However, II the Senate act u In
tended to punish the player. which