Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-06-30
Revenue Need
May Put U. S.
In Lotteries
Prejudice in Ire asury
~ Big Obstacle
BY DAMON RUNYON

- nANDA<A ~ ~ ~ a ~ ~ 49, WI
- gresham from Minnesota,
who has introduced what / con-
slider the best OF all the federal
lottery bills in the House, writes
me that he thinks the need for
revenue will become so acute
that it will he necessary to re-
sort TO such plan.
He says my estimate of $780,
100000 as the probable revenue
10 the government from the lot
terry is conservative. from which
l judge that Mr.. Knutson has
not heard my revised figure OF
S250,000,000. incidentally, this
seems to be his own, as he
marks:
"SOme years ago I read that
II was estimated that $500, 0OO,-
900 was invested annually In the
Irish Sweepstakes and an equal
amount In counterfeit tickets.
Those figures may be exag-
gerated, and probably are, but
dare say that we could take
In q quarter Of a billion annu-
ally, and that II not to he
sneezed at, especially ut n time
when we are giving serious con-
sideration 10 imposing excise or
processing taxes on such items
as sugar. coffee, tea. salt and
other commodities that sre used
daily on the American table"
MR.. KNUTSON says the
AA treasury department is hos
tile TO the idea Of the federal
lottery. which is understand
able. There are certain phases
OF lottery that are naturally
somewhat disagreeable to finan-
cial minds such as prevail in the
department. i think only dire
emergency could overcome their
prejudice. and il may be that
the emergency is at hand.
AS a matter of fact. the gov
eminent, and therefore the
treasury department, too. is be-
coming a partner in a form Of
1ottery under the measure that
taxes pari-mutuels bets five per
cent. The government proposes
sharing in an enterprise that is
legal in some states but illegal
in others.
This taxation will be against
those OF the public who gamble
on horse racing and added TO the
taxes already imposed in states
where the gambling is legalized
will, in my opinion. tend TO
throttle the whole business of
racing.
The sucker who plays against
the roulette wheel gets a better
break than will be afforded the
pari-mutuels player under the
increased taxation.
However, i am not going 10
cry about the troubles of the
horse players. AS / have told
before in this column. all horse
players must die broke and the
new tax bill will merely expe-
dite the latter state.
But / would like 10 inquire Of
those persons who object to the
federal lottery on moral grounds,
the moral difference between the
government dipping into the
horse racing gambling pot and
running its own gambling
racket.
MAYBE il is the same differ
A'A ence between a church
congregation running a bingo
game and Directing TO the boys
shooting craps around the cor
ner Or prominent citizens en-
gaging in sweepstakes drawing
for charity and squawking about
a baseball pool or pinball ma
chimes.
1t is all gambling and IL you
ask me, there are no varying
degrees OF sinfulness in gam
bling. II one form is sinful, then
all forms are sinful.
Mr.. Knutson's bill. HR 1897,
referred 10 the ways and means
committee of which he is
member. provides for prize
drawings as a means Of raising
additional revenue fgr defraying
war expenditures and of financ-
ing increased federal grants for
old age assistance after the war.
1t allows for monthly draw
ings and grand prize of $780,
600 and numerous lesser prizes.
In general, it meets with my
approval except that 1 hold the
revenue should go toward the
relief of the families of the serv-
ice men. The government pro-
vision 10 this end under legisla-
ton now in the making will not
be sufficient 10 cover all the
needs of these families. not even
with the increased pay OF the
men.
Copyright. 1912. nv KING Features
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