L O O K IN G
FO RW ARD
By FRANK C. PETRINE, President and Publisher
AUTOMATIC
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER CONFIRMS RULINGS
Classifying the various types of coin-operated
machines affected by the new Federal tax law is
a gigantic task. Nevertheless, many rulings were
obtained with remarkable speed. They were re
ported in the October issue of Automatic Age.
The situation up-to-date is reflected in the follow
ing telegram received November 6 :
FRANK C. PETRINE EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
AUTOMATIC AGE 4416 ELSTON AVE
REFERENCE TELEGRAM FIFTH INFORMATION REQUESTED NOT AVAIL
ABLE
STOP
GENERAL RULINGS MADE FOLLOW
STOP
PINBALL AND
OTHER SIMILAR AMUSEMENT MACHINES TAXABLE TEN DOLLARS HELD
TO
INCLUDE
PINBALL AND
PINBALL
TYPE
ONLY
STOP
PINBALL
MACHINES WHICH DELIVER CASH OR TOKENS TO PLAYER CLASSED AS
GAMING DEVICE TAXABLE
FIFTY
DOLLARS
STOP
REEL MACHINES
WHICH GIVE FREE PLAY NOT TAXABLE UNLESS MACHINE INDICATES
TO PLAYER THAT HE IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE CASH PREMIUMS MER
CHANDISE OR TOKENS
STOP
CRANE AND DIGGERS THAT DELIVER
OR ENTITLE PERSON PLAYING TO RECEIVE MERCHANDISE CLASSED
GAMING DEVICE TAXABLE FIFTY DOLLARS
STOP
BONA FIDE VENDING
MACHINES NOT TAXABLE HOWEVER IF SUCH MACHINES HAVE GAMING
FEATURES INCORPORATED OR INSCRIPTIONS THEREON INDICATING A
USE OF SUCH MACHINES
D0LLARS
FOR GAMING PURPOSES TAXABLE FIFTY
D S BLISS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
It should be noted by operators that the word
“Amusement” as applied to various skill and
novelty machines— which furnish amusement
only are not taxable,— is not in the same category
described as, “ Pinball and other similar amuse
ment machines.”
FORM ASSOCIATION FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Just received important news of the formation
of the official organization of the Amusement
Merchants’ Association of Northern California,
representing the operators in all 48 counties of
northern California. Sid Mackin is director.
The Amusement Merchants’ Association, Inc.,
of San Francisco, has in the past conducted its
operation on a basis benefiting all operators in
this area. As recognition of the many benefits re
ceived from the Association through its opera
tions, the operators of Northern California, real
izing the need for this type of organization, re
quested that the formal scope and operation be
6
extended to include officially the 48 counties of
northern California, and that they be allowed to
take membership in a central organization.
Great care and study was given to this far-
reaching step before it was undertaken. The
effectiveness of unification and proper represen
tation was recognized by the far-sighted and lead
ing operators. Numerous requests were made to
undertake such a project. During this time the
AM A worked with various communities in an
advisory capacity, assisting in many ways with
their local problems.
The actual formation of the Northern Cali
fornia Association took place at what was the first
meeting ever held of operators from all of the 48
counties in the area. This meeting was primarily
called in connection with the Amusement Mer
chants’ Association’s sponsored program in con
junction with the Federal tax. The meeting was
held in San Francisco at the Eagles Hall, October
22nd. The turnout exceeded all expectations.
Every county was represented, with a majority
turning out substantial delegations.
After a thorough and complete outline of what
requirements would be necessary to achieve
proper organization, covering such a large area,
it was voted unanimously to undertake the proj
ect. All in attendance requested membership, and
every day since then additional memberships have
been received.
HIGHER COSTS DEMAND BETTER EQUIPMENT
With the clarification of the new tax, operators
are besieging the markets to replace old equip
ment and modernize. The earning potentiality
of each piece of equipment has been raised due to
the increased cost of doing business. By and large
many locations, which might appear from past
performances to be unprofitable in the light of
higher operating costs, can be made to produce
better earnings with better machines.
Shifting machines around in the expectation of
catching the public’s fancy, is unlikely to prove
the successful anti-dote to “short rations.”
Glitter, flash, color, shiny newness— are crowd
pullers. No wonder that action-wise operators are
seeking better equipment.
AUTOM ATIC AGE
© International Arcade Museum
AGE
November, 1941
http://www.arcade-m useum .com/