Georgetown Declares Itself an 'Open Town'
Local officials abandon the fight against vice, allowing gambling tables to move from back rooms into plain sight.
SEATTLE, June 4.—Acting on the theory that 'public opinion legalizes vice,' Georgetown city officials have allowed gambling to be opened, and unless interference comes from the county officials, the new municipality will be an 'open town.' For several days games have been conducted 'on the quiet,' but yesterday morning the faro tables were moved into the front rooms of the saloons and almost within sight of the street. There is no curb on the gamblers except that they must conduct 'square games.' The town is open, and all may gamble who wish. Mayor Mueller took a stand against gambling when the poolrooms first opened up in the town, but lost in his fight against them on the floor of the council. He has now decided to let the people do as they wish, and is not attempting to oppose those who are allowing gambling to be openly conducted.
“Acting on the theory that 'public opinion legalizes vice,' Georgetown city officials have allowed gambling to be opened.”
While this report is from Seattle, it reflects the era's ongoing struggle with 'open town' policies that many municipalities, including Tacoma, navigated in the early 20th century. The tension between municipal autonomy and county or state moral regulation remains a recurring theme in Washington politics, surfacing today in debates over the regulation of cannabis and sports betting.
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