The Slot Machine Whistleblower
A local man accuses the County Attorney of shielding a slot machine monopoly in Tacoma’s saloons.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
E. L. Mead, who previously told The Times that the county attorney's office refused to act against illegal slot machines, has released a formal affidavit detailing his interactions with Prosecutor Campbell. Mead claims that while he sought to break a monopoly held by an individual named Baldie, Campbell repeatedly obstructed the filing of complaints, advised him to negotiate with saloon owners instead of enforcing the law, and engaged in private, cozy conferences with the Mayor. Despite gathering the necessary evidence and repeatedly attempting to file charges, Mead asserts that Campbell stalled, citing the absence of a judge or other excuses. Mead concludes that Campbell’s eventual claim that the prosecution was not brought in 'good faith' is a fabrication designed to protect political interests.
“I don't own a dollar's interest in any machine that has been operated in the state of Washington since the law went into effect.”
This 1904 report on 'pay-to-play' politics and the enforcement of morality laws echoes contemporary debates about how local law enforcement prioritizes which crimes to prosecute—and which businesses are allowed to operate with impunity.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.