"My Office Cannot Be Used by Gamblers": Tacoma's Prosecutor Explains Why He Won't Touch the Slot Machines

County Attorney Campbell isn't satisfied with the statements recently made to The Times by C. R. Miller regarding the failure of the prosecutor's office to bring proceedings against F. H. Beadle, the slot machine owner who has a monopoly in this city.

Mr. Campbell says: "The truth of the whole matter is that E. L. Mead, who was the owner of 18 slot machines, came to my office and wanted complaints issued against five men operating slot machines in specified — five saloons where these machines were in use — and wanted the proceedings commenced immediately. I made out the complaints on his information and then began to question him as to his motives in bringing the prosecutions.

WHY HE REFUSED MEAD.

"He told me that he had 18 machines of his own and had been prevented from using them by city officials.

"I thereupon informed Mead that I could not push the proceedings, as he was evidently trying to use my office for the purpose of forcing the city to let him join in an illegal proceeding in operating slot machines, and was therefore putting the prosecutor in the position of compounding felony if he entertained the charges as made.

"Mead retired, but the next day another man appeared, whose name I don't recall — it may have been this man Miller, who has been talking through The Times. He also wanted slot machine complaints. I started in to issue them, and then, according to custom, began making inquiries as to who he was and why he desired to prosecute. He finally admitted that Mead had sent him and that he had no personal interest himself in pushing the cases.

"I told him, as I had told Mead, that my office could not be used for furthering the plans of gamblers, or slot machine men, to get into business. The complaint was not brought with a desire to have the laws enforced. The intent of a complainant always figures in a prosecution. In order to successfully carry through proceedings he must have clean hands.

MUST BE IN GOOD FAITH.

"I stand ready at any and all times to bring prosecutions against slot machine men or gamblers, whenever any citizen who is desirous of enforcing the laws sees fit to bring a complaint. No such citizen has appeared in my office since gambling began in this city.

"It is a well understood thing that the county commissioners have taken the stand that the county's funds should not be used to maintain order in this city, and for that reason the prosecutor's office does not consider it necessary to go out and seek evidence against city law-breakers. That is the duty of the municipal authorities. But, just the same, if any citizen cares to come before the county prosecutor and file a bona fide complaint that the laws of the state regarding slot machines or gambling are being violated, I would be obliged to take up the case and prosecute it to a conclusion.

"I want the position of my office to be clearly understood. If Miller was correctly quoted in your paper last Thursday, he misrepresented me and my office.

"There has been no controversy between the mayor and myself over the operation of slot machines in Tacoma. I never met the mayor and wouldn't know him if I met him on the street."