The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-03-20
Racketeers and Politics

In past issues of the Voice charged
bling laws of the state openly violated in all of the
larger cities OF the state and that the officers elected by the
people failed to act to fulfill their enforcing pro-
hibitory gambling laws enacted by the people,
We have charged that in control of the
open gambling in the state constituted because
constitutes strong and ruthless political machine strong
enough in cities to influence positively controlling
eecon ana appointment OF all municipal officials and GER
tany influencing the election of all county officers having
thing to do with law enforcement
The Voice does not make charges having some
foundation for making them. 1t lacks funds make
vestgaon IN every large city in the state but going
conditions existing in Helena and we are sure
that these conditions typical the prevalent
the larger and many of the smaller cities
In each of them you will find boss gambler" who
the eligibility of other gamblers games
terrtoy who gives franchises installation of slot
machines and other devices separate the people
money In most cases. will also find these kngpns also
controlling other things not that respectable in the
dinarily accepted meaning of that word
The man. generally known in Helena, of gam
bling one by the name of George Cooney He the
ognized, actual of Cabin" the mint and the
Broadwater in all of which open gambling is carried
He fifteen of the shacks buildings street.
the "redlight" of Helena Records show that only
these places vacant. According the records $50
month is the rental he charges the poor unfortunate
victims of life who are his tenants.
Wood street is short street. leading off from Main
the principal thoroughfare the fifteen shacks
and rented by Cooney prostitutes located
within the first two blocks Wood street. off from
street.
If private individual some company builds build
ing for anywhere within the city Helena
rigid sanitary regulations enforced but posi-
ters city requirements.
In nine of the places there is no plumbing
whatever Nos and g. Wood street have toilet for the
use of both. Nos g. 10 and II Wood toilet
and one kitchen sink for the three cribs.
The fact that these conditions exist within blocks
the principal street IN downtown Helena shows thing
clearly the political control by Boss Cooney
Obvious also is the extent of his affairs
One has only to consider the income he prop
erty and the amount of the taxes he pays If the
home owner and small business could the
cessons in the matter of that Cooney they would
worried when the taXpaying time
The properties owned by Cooney Wood are
5essed for valuation of $500 and pays $1171
His income from the property basis of the monthly
ais charged the unfortunate inmates totals $512 year
What home reputable business in any city in
the state with property producing that of income
could get with paying the trifling $11711
axes such property?
The people of Lewis and Clark county, believe
hopeless to defeat Thomas Cooney
county commissioner place he has held years
If the political influence of his brother Boss" Cooney
)her brother less important perhaps has held position
of the county offices many years Another brother
Dr. Sid Cooney formerly for years. health officer
lewis and Clark county, but SUCH ignay failed to discover
to health connection with the properties
brother Boss Cooney Wood street. South Park
where he three places for with
oet to them ALL or at Nos 108, 10 and 12 Miller
treet where there is plumbing whatever
1t is talk that Cooney slot machine
BUSINESS in Helena that the recently appointed
oce former deputy sheriff United States marshal
while deputy sheriff. also unctonng collector of the
lot machine take in Helena
my political influence?
These facts related here with the intent on the mart
the Voice to seek sympathy from people outside of
ielena for the conditions obtaining here that in
Continued
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