The Daily Ardmoreite
Monday, January 27, 1930
Ardmore, Oklahoma

War Renewed on Slot Machines
Eight Ardmore Places Raided by Con Keirsey

Operators Arrested on Warrants Sworn Out by
John L. Hodge, County Attorney

HODGE PROMISES PROMPT ACTION

Charges Filed in Court of Fount Duston,
Justice of the Peace

Renewal of the war on the operators of slot machines was started
Monday morning big league style when Con Keirsey, constable for
Ardmore township, armed with warrants issued by the county
attorney, raided eight places in Ardmore, seized the machines
and arrested the operators.

Keirsey explained that insistent demands from citizens of
Ardmore that something be done to eliminate the practice of
operating the devices have been pouring in for some time.  He
mapped out a careful campaign, he explained, working up a case
of each machine in detail.  The operators of the machines have
been formally charged with operation of a slot machine in
violation of the law.

Charges have been filed in the court of Fount Duston, justice
of the peace, for preliminary hearing.  Six of the eight
machines were brought to the county attorney's office by
Keirsey before noon Monday.  Others will be picked up, the
officer stated.

Warrants Issued

Operators of the machines who were served with warrants
and told to post bond at once were Jake Williams, J.B. Ponder,
J.W. Berry, F.H. Clark, Emmett Goode, Bill Kirby, Jack Gray,
and Mrs. Press Roberts.  The defendants are operators of small
cafes and newsstands.

Keirsey said the defendants will be prosecuted to the fullest,
in an effort to settle the long argument over the devices for
once and for all.  Several attempts in the past, each
terminating abruptly through issuance of court orders or for
other causes.

The law, according to John L. Hodge, county attorney, is
specific as to operation of the machines, and it will be the
intention of his office to handle the cases with thoroughness
to sift this troublesome matter to its bottom.

Keirsey explained that many minors were playing the machines
and the parents were worried over the practice.

Wasted Lunch Money

"One mother," said Keirsey, "reported that she gave her son
lunch money and that the boy oftentimes wasted the money on the
slot machines and that parents were worried over the practice."

"I have also evidence that the tokens taken from the machines
were used for trade and thus have value and being value come
under the provisions of the state law.

Slot machines have long been a bone of much attention in
Carter county.  They featured in one of the attempted ouster
actions against former sheriff E.C. London in a major way.
Two or three grand juries have been specifically instructed
to delve into the matter.  Several peace officers have tried
to handle the situation and in each case some obstacle has
forestalled a definite final solution of the problem.

This is the first wholesale filing of charges in connection
with the practice.