Vocations
DENVER. (RC}-John Childs, scale op-
e rator and distributor, is vacationing in
some of the most romantic spots in the
w orld, the West Indies. He has visited
Kingston, Jamaica, Port of Spain, Trini-
dad, and Barbadoes in the Indian Is-
lands.
Childs reports that coin machines play
a s important a part of every day busi-
ne ss in the tropics as anywhere in the
United States. Quinine is dispensed by
coin vendors in many of the American-
ized towns, and in s ome towns, all elec-
trical power and telephones are coin-
metere d .
•
By BEN WITT
Now that the coin machine exhibit is
relegated to the limbo of past history,
the operator of five-ball pin tables-of
which, I am told, there are still a few
hundred stalking the American terrain
-can examine the future of pin games
soberly. He is in a better position to
judge what the future holds in store for
his business now that he is away from
bombastic oratory and high-sounding
auguries.
The facts , as they present themselves
forcibly, are that "play" is declining,
that player-interest is waning, that ma-
chine prices are skyrocketing without
justification, that s omething new is vi-
tally needed to resuscitate business.
These are verities that the operator is
painfully aware of, and which he f.eels
cannot be cured by false promises or
wild prophecies of halcyon days to
come. Thes·e are conditions tha t he can-
not help but view with alarm, for he is
dependent upon manufacturers for a
solution to these problems. Are manu-
facturers alive to the need of cooper-
ating with operators?
One complaint generally heard is that
machine prices are growing too exorbi-
tant. Operators as a whole are not no-
toriously poor businessmen, but, on the
other hand, aggressive and progressive,
and if games were produced that would
increase earnings substantially, a cor-
responding rise in game prices would
not be viewed askance. Especially at
this time when price rises are entirely
unwarranted in view of the slight varia-
tions of established designs, with noth-
ing basically different or more expen-
sive.
I recall when Rock-Ola first ventured
into upper-price brackets with their
original World Series. Operators accept-
ed the price increase gladly because
Rock-Ola offered them a product that
was revolutionary, sure-fire, a natural.
The cost-increase was commensurate
with the value offered. Operators made
big money with this game and couldn't
obtain enough to place on the street.
This device established new standards
for the industry in price, quality and
novelty, and helped us all surge for-
ward.
Then followed a period when again a
new contribution to overflowing cash
boxes was introduced with electrical in-
novations . . . with a resultant rise in
game prices. However operators could
condone such action for their earnings
soared to new heights. There was pro-
portion, balance, reason for higher
prices. This same parallel can be drawn
when bumper games originated. Each
startlingly new development in the pin
game industry was worth a price in-
crease for it pumped new vitality into
Young man: "Johnny, it may be cruel
player-interest with lucrative results for
to tell you , but at the party last night
the operator. Again I repeat that oper-
your sister promised to become my wife.
ators are good businessmen and are
Will you forgive me for taking her
glad to pay more for games provided
away?"
they receive their money's worth.
.
Johnny: "Forgive you? Why that was
I believe, and I have the opinions of "' .... w hat the party was for. "
at least sixty fellow-operators to coin-
cide with my views, that a sky has been
reached regarding pin game prices.
The subject was openly discussed at a
meeting of the Philadelphia Coin Ma-
chine Operators' Association, and there
Health officers now demand modern
was a unanimously voiced opinion that
sanitary vendors. Original, genuine,
manufacturers should be made aware of
the disapproval of the present-day price
"SILVER
trends.
KINGS" meet
Since nothing radically new s eems to
every stand-
be forthcoming, and the industry is in a
ard. Guaran-
stalemate about new ideas, perhaps a
sugg·e stion from this operator may help.
teed more for
I really shouldn't claim authorship of
your money.
the thought because it isn 't entirely my
Don't buy any
own. Players of pin games with whom
I have come in contact, all seem to
vendors until
author the idea that pin games should
you have seen
return to the definite skill field of yester-
and tried the
year. Their claim is that the fascination
of bumper games, in fact all games that
have hit-and-miss features , is too ep-
hemeral for a lasting grip on the imag-
ination of the player. Some definite
skill goal. they aver, intrigues and con-
stantly challenges the player to con-
tinue playing.
I have heard praiseworthy comment,
the 1938
by players, of the Exhibit game called
Bobs, because it offered some skill fea-
tures. Games that can honestly be
AT ALL THE BEST JOBBERS
labeled SKILL games offer the harassed
VIKING
SPECIALTY CO.
operator some outlook of surcease from
530 Golden Gate Ave •• San Francisco
the omnipresent legal problem. It is an
MILLS·VIKING CO.
idea, gentlemen, that was kindly offered
1356 W. Washington Blvd •• Los Angeles
by pin game players and, as such, is
entitled to deep consideration. In con-
DE LUXE SALES CO.
Edith Ave.. West Toronto. Ontario
clusion I would like to suggest that if
operators everywhere would express
or at the factory
their views , whether they be pro or con,
AUTOMAT
GAMES
on the pressing problems they are fac-
2425 W. Fullerton Ave .• Chicago. III .
ing, much needed reforms might re-
sult therefrom.
•
AVOID TROUBLE!
LOW
PRICED
QUALITY
KING OF VENDORS
"SILVER KING"
CI.OSING
OUT
3 Stoner Races, like new .......................... $42.50
2 Rose Bowls, slightly used, perfect... ... $42.50
2 Dux, Floor Samples ................................ 42.50
3 Auto Derbys, hi-score ............................ 19.50
2 Genco's Carnivals .................................. 37.50
2 Keeney Targette Rifles .......................... 49.50
WANTED: Late Track Meets and Skookys
II • II • A • A M U S E M E N T S
2632 E. SEVENTH ST., LONG BEACH.
Phone 815-33. 474-62
13
COIN
MACHINE
REVIEW