The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1949-12-23

many are sincerely seeing interrupted
community life prevail
High hopes that greater cooperation woue
be Forthcoming between the several interested branches OF the
research definitely
laws governing the state liquor board do not have sufficient
latitude permit that board withhold licenses from joints
maintaining illegal gambling operations Apparently the only
the liquor board breakdown is to that liquor laws
sales to Minors after hours dispensing etc.
orously enforced.
have also felt that the board of equalization should more
carefully scrutnize all applications non-prot club Ii
still has been buttresed the made by
District Judge Guy Derry (see Supreme Court in
another part of this sue that applicants licenses have
g the burden of proving they bonafide fraernal
ganzation to the board of equalization has
been most negligent asking all such applicants furnish
proof that they bonafde am of the further opinion that
that board might well inquire what charity char
benefit from the profits of each profit social club
unless fully satisfied the honesty of the applicant that
such license should be refused.
for the Attorney General toughest
of all not only at the hands of the crooks but also
the parts many the SIS county attorneys
the He has had roadbock after another put his
wav Tn a coupe of respects however think he has missed
the boat While approaching his being shorhanded staff
members, do believe he should put considerably
law enforcement officials counties particularly
Silver Bow which, although Boosting total of 985 slot machines
had only AZ or 43 licensed under state laws 949 Herein
for drastic action by either nsutng proceedings
ing down simultaneously many illegal operations his
limited force will permit n this connection it should be
noted that Silver Bow county, proceeding
experience, is pretty much foredoomed)
think too the attorney general has also slipped by not
doing better public relations job with the people of the state
The great majority of the people solid of the de-
termned effort he has been making enforce state laws but
for the most such By better public
relations job he can arouse active support throughout the
state which, will develop pressure
county officials to live to their oahs of office.
Since for all too long the legal status of licensed bandits
socaled nonproft clubs has been udicio
and imperative that the supreme
upon the question The Derry decision this week
Billings the possibility this question being
placed squarey before the If pass
it behoove the supreme court to accept Jurisdiction on this
hot potato and and for ALL clarity the legal position of
''slots" under present state laws.
Looking ahead, and bearing mind the possibility the sup
might find slot machines be legal under present
laws-hat they lottery, then several
other steps must be considered.
years election will go
before the peopeprovdng of the states shysers
successful keeping off the ballot through legal
techncaity another Should this get before the people
little question but that this mechanical
the body polite will be outawed But just majority
saying they do sos via the ballot box does
the machines will automatically disappear
necessary legislature show courage
predecessors facing this problem
then will be the legislature devise effective
legislation from the level This might
lake the form of the Minnesota law which places
hands of the the authority all
saloon licenses those who illegally
chimes. On passing-Mnnesota is longer considered
for this nefarous racket) IT, by
should egalze sos then again the legislature
will be faced with drafting legislation that will complete
elimination of all unlicensed machines machine patrons
least gamblers chance when playing the machines and
drastic and enforceable regulations keep minors
playing Should egazaon prevail the only sensible solution