New Orleans' new, independent, cleanup Mayor deLesseps Story Morrison (TIME, Feb. 4) thought he had something. Since New Orleans would always have gambling, why not legalize it? Besides, a gambling tax would bring in added city revenue.
He proposed to put New Orleans into the slot-machine business by licensing some 3,000 city-owned "one-armed bandits"; to license legal bookmakers (at $25 a day); and slap a 20% levy on race wire services' gross receipts.
Then the howl set in—from churchmen, clubwomen, and from bookies and slot-machine operators, who naturally preferred the present system, under which they pay graft but get a larger take...