The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1948-06-24

R Rsa Pstt5sal & f3ss5aor Club
Facts Speak Louder Than Political Words
Mr.. and Mrs. Montana TAXPAYER
Before you decide for or against legal control of
gambling study this over
One Montana Sheriff reports that there is no SEM
Oiance OF law enforcement against gambling in most
Montana cities. Vigilence Committees are com
planning to the Attorney General and asking for law
enforcement:
The situation is almost exactly analogous to the
Oootlegger situation in 1888. At that time law en-
forcement against bootegging seemed to have broken
down entirely
Montana gambling laws, as they now function.
are shrouded in uncertainty and based on VARYING
court decision. The truth is that because of noorI
drawn laws snacking of class legislation unfairnesS
uncertainty, even the tavern keepers wish something
could be done about it. These men are also in highly
competitive business, and if their competitor runs
game and attracts trade, almost in self preservation
they start up. This promotes tavortism from friend
local oHcers, and brings dsreSpect and disdain for
the entire law setup. Shers report that it is almost
hopeless task to determine who is right and who is
wrong and enforce any kind of restraint
In the mean time let take look at our neighbor
ing state and see how Idaho (who seems to have been
aroused by the possibilities of tax relief thru licensed
gambling) is handling the situation
Pocatelo Tribune June 1st 1913
Twin Falls: ASSOCIATED Press ReleaSe).
Idaho slot machines are turning out jackpot for
city, county and state treasures
Inc Otate Iegallzed the machines March 10, 1947
Since then the state has received 1851 581 O4 in Ii
cense fees Counties have received half that sum
But the city of Twin Falls has hit the bonanza.
1t adopted licensing system that is expected to net
the city $35OO00 for the fiscal year. \ x
Twin Falls has 212 licensed slot machines Dur
ing the first three months of the year they brought
100000 to the city. In the first two months the
take" nearly equalled the entire 1947 income from
a flat license fee system then in effect
If the Twin Falls slot machine profits maintain
their first quarter record each of the ctys 212 ma
chimes would average more than So 900 year for the
city That means the gross receipts of each machine
exceeds $4,000 year. If the handles on other ma
chimes in the state yanked as often they would
produce $12000,OO0 gross income to slot machine
owners annually.
That's lot of nickes-and lemons (end of press
release sI.e.a4seell...........................,
The State Treasurer of Idaho reports there are
5000 machines operating in the State of Idaho
In Montana the best estimates available show
there are 5000 machines (about /5th of this number
pay state tax because of the halfheared laws under
which they are licensed).
So ONE TOWN in Idaho makes more on her 200
slot machines than THE ENTIRE STATE OF MON
TANA with $1,000
And this article in the Idaho paper shows the
returns from slot machines Why should
four or five favored persons in Montana get rich from
his source of revenue which could be channelled in
70 state, county and city treasures
AS for other games and devices we need not 90
IS far as Nevada in legalizng gambling but the IL
enslng and control OF few tables limited in number
'z1l put the clip-joint operators out of business
Legalized gambling isn't going to bring gam
ling to our state It's already here, so why not con-
rol it and cash in on it as THE GREATEST TAX
tELIEF MEASURE WE CAN VOTE?
George NJ Melton
Democratic Candidate for Governor
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