Coin Machine Review (& Pacific ...)

Issue: 1946 January

Portland
On December 10 the Operators of Port-
land attempted a get-together at the Mult-
nomah Hotel for the purpose of discussing
plans for an Association_ Inasmuch as
some of the majority groups were not
present, no matters of consequence could
be aired and for that reason it was de-
cided to adjourn and make an attempt to
get more of the fellows together on Janu-
ary 17_
Many of the local ops seems to agree
that for their own welfare, some kind
of an Association with the means of con-
trolling the situation to a degree would
be beneficial to all concerned, but from
appearances a general mutual accordance
of ideas is going to be a difficult matter.
(Who, around these parts, could wield
an axe of authority?)
Have heard it rumored that already a
number of the old time operators have
found it wise to trim location percentages,
and in view of the apparent mounting
costs, and prices of new equipment, it is
apparent to this correspondent, although
at present removed from the operating
business, that the old percentages can not
profitably be paid to locations in the
future_
Since very little new equipment has
appeared, there seems to be little in the
way of news to report except some of
the activities of local personalities_
Clayton Ballard, after a strenuous trip,
making the rounds of his large territory
for Aireon, is at present laid up with
tonsilitis but plans to fly tomorrow for
Spokane with Budge Wright and Walter
Solomon (business or pleasure?)
Vern Raw, back at Seaside, the home
town, after one of the shortest recorded
stays in the Navy (one month) . . . Earl
Bush of Coos Bay, reportedly getting
along o.k. after a serious accident _ . .
Saw Marty Fibiger at one of the jobbers
looking thin but pleased to be out of the
Navy __ . plans to rest before a trip to
Chica!(o in January . . . Bill Haner doing
free lance repairing since release from
the Navy and looking for a place to set
up shop.
Roy Gatto claims, and probably truth-
fully, the distinction of being the only
man on the coast still operating 250
Keeney boxes profitably . . . (he looks
happy and unconcerned . . . a pat on
the back for Jack Keeney) . . . Al Brun,
back from Europe at Coast Amusement,
reports his first impression of his new
son satisfactory . . . Sol Fox, still getting
around to his music spots, and hitting on
all 16.
Maury Wiczer, with Harry Marcus of
Chicago, has been calIlng on the local
trade . . . has a few parts left to sell
so is heading for Tacoma and Seattle ...
Sgt. Eddie Glazier expected back from
China in January.
Keith Payne representing Clark Dis-
tributing Co. has liquidated his house in
Seattle and purchased a new home with
-acreage in the Northeast district of Port·
land . . _ Clark Distributing remodeling
the buiTding that they have leased, as
their headquarters on Northwest 16th and
Lovejoy.
The Jack Moore outfit is forced to get
by with a skeleton crew probably until
the first of the year . . . Jack and all
Branch Managers, Shop Foremen and
Servicemen are at ' the Seeburg Factory
in Chicago for a meeting of Distributors
and a Servicemen's School . . . meetinl!;
now instead of in January because of
Hotel shortage ... of this group a number
plan detours before heading homeward
_ . . A. S. (Bert) Beutler and wife
I
.-L..
Budge Wright. Porfland distributor. takes
a turn on the new Victory Derby while Jack
R. Moore. Pacific Coast Representatiye looks
on-smiling encouragingly as Budge collects.

("Free") stopping by Ashland, Ky. for
Xmas . . . Ed Cusson plans to visit his
sister at Angola, Ind. . . . Eddie Eby
visiting El Paso for Xmas with his son
. • • Dan Hugenin returning via San
Francisco.
Operators are anticipating another de-
luxe Xmas party at the Moore office with
turkey and trimmings, etc., and hoping
that traditions will be followed with C. H.
McGirr mixing and serving the Tom and
Jerry batter.
During the shortage of
Moore executives, Forbes Simpson, who
was enroute to San Francisco, was talked
into pinch-hitting for the service depart-
ment until Xmas ... and Dick Hiland has
gone on the road for Jack (permanently).
Frank Bennett reportedly has purchased
L. H. Robison's operation of games . . .
Rumor has it that G. F. Johnson may
retire shortly and allow his two sons to
succeed him . . . Sgt. Tom Bushby at
present writing reports from Victorville,
Photo Electric
RIFLE RANGE
CONVERSION
FOR
"Shoot the Jap" . . . "Chic:k-
en Sams" . . . "Convic:ts",
are all making top dollars
when c:onverted into the
brand new Coinex Photo
Elec:tric: Rifle Range. Can be
installed on loc:ation in 20
minutes by anyone: has
great player appeal: loc:a-
tion-tested. Rifle Ronge in-
dudes all the old target
princ:lples. As stundard as
sugar and salt.
$14.75
in lots of 3
$17.50
sample
f.o.b. factory
SEE
PAUL A. LAYMON
DISTRIBUTOR
1503 Wost Plco
Los Angelos 15
Cal. . . . Rolly Savage working with
Johnny Welch since returning from the
Navy . . . Chet Doerr still plugging away
with Melody Amusement . . .
Over at Nat Schoen's, home of "The
Phonograph of Tomorrow", E. Roland
Allen, General Manager, reports troubles
again this month . . . Since the Liquor
Commission ended rationing, he has made
daily attempts to buy Scotch • . . finally
got two bottles but was forced to give
them away for Xmas . . . so none left
for poor Roland.
Darrel Ellis, prominent Los Angeles
operator, has been visiting his brother
Neal Ellis of the operating firm of Ellis
and Taylor at Neal's palatial "Canterbury
Castle" . . . after slipping on a banana
peel while attempting to dive into Neal's
swimming pool (he claims there ain't no
dive like this Canterbury Castle in L.A.)
. . . so he hied back to L.A. to liquidate
his affairs . . . his return to Portland will
be accompanied by the openi'ng of a new
exclusive steak house .
That's about all I can find out that
should be printed, this time. See you
next month.
Fritz Hall
Richarme Refirin'g
LONG BEACH-Joe Richarme, who has
operated a jobbing business under the
name of the Long Beach Coin Machine
Exchange for a number of years, has an-
nounced his retirement from jobbing and
COl"
distributing activities.
"I do not intend to re·open the sales- MACHINE
REVIEW
room on coin machines or radios," said
Joe. "I am going to take a needed rest.
The boys (Thompson Brothers) are going
to operate out of this place and use it
for their headquarters."
FOIt
The best wishes of the Industry follow
you, Joe, and we hope for your early JANUARY
1946
return to activity in our industry.
73
REVIEW ADVERTISING PAYS
Salt Lalae City
R. F. Jones and Roger A. Tays of the
Jones Distributing Co., exclusive distribu-
tors for J. P. Seeburg Corp., Bally Mfg.
Co. & O. D. Jennings, have just returned
from Denver after completing arrange·
ments to open a branch office shortly after
the first of the year in that city.
Bill Erskine, who has just received his
discharge from the Army, will be the
new branch manager. The building is
being completely remodeled with a new
glass brick front and all modern display
rooms and shop.
Jones intends that the new office will
act in the same ca pacity as the Salt Lake
office, a One-Stop-Store for the coin ma-
chine industry.
Enthusiasm is running high among the
operators of the Salt Lake territory since
they have been receiving deliveries on the
new Bally Victory Derby. The last two
weeks the Jones Distributing Co. has been
a meeting place for all the operators
getting th eir new machines. Comments
from the operators in each case seem to
ALL A-l RECONDITIONED
ARCADE EQUIPMENT
A.B.T. Chall.ng.rs ....... _ .............. __ .. _ .. _.$ 25.00
A.B.T. Targ.t Skill (Lat. Mod.I) ........ 25.00
A.B.T. Skill (Mod.1 Fl ............................ 19.50
Ac. Bomb.r ................................................ 235.00
A.ro Ball _.................................................. 39.50
COIN
MACHINE
REVIEW
74
FOR
JANUARY
1946
~:::~ ':1!?r.t ·Bai,,·(r·.iiiliiiteii)
~Ug
~!::~ B.l'!~iii·· .. Fi';jj:::::::::::::::: ................... I~tgg
Barr.1 O'Fun (Exhibit) ............................
Batting Practic. (Scl.ntlflc) ....................
Bicycl. Sp •• d T •• t.r (Exhibit) ..............
Card V.nd.rs (Exhibit) with Bas.......
Card V.nd.rs (Without Bas.) ........... .
Card Vond.rs (M.tal Int.) 2 for 5c..
Ch.st.r-Pollard Golf (Painted) ..........
Chicago Coin Hock.y.....................
Chuck-O-Luok ..................................
Donk.y Str.ngth Test.r..................
Egyptian Mum my Exh Ibit..........................
Evan. 36 ft. Duck Pin AII.y. coln-
operated. (uncrated)
99.50
109.50
125.00
25.00
17.50
39.50
39.50
189.50
5.00
139.50
119.50
Automatic Pin
Set .............................................................. 189.50
~r~~aJ071~r. 1}~~iiii~O~G·;;;:iiii)·:::::::~::::: :g~:~g
Golf Put-.r· ln 6 f •• t................................
Gripp.r, Singi. (Gott li.b) ........................
Grlpp.r. Arcad. with Stand...................
Grip T.... ..................................................
Hock.y (S •• burg) ........................................
Hom. Run ..................................................
29.50
15.00
29.50
59.50
69.50
11.00
Jungl. Hunt ................................................
K •• n.y Air Rald.r ......................................
K •• n.y Anti·Alrcraft (R.paint.d) .......
K •• ney Submarine ......................................
Klck.r and Catch.r....................................
KIII-D-M.ler ..............................................
Knotty P.ak (without Stand)................
Llb.rator ......................................................
Love M eter ___ ...... __ ............. _ ................ _........
Lo v.-D-M.t.r (Floor Mod.I). .................
25.00
149.50
:~t: ~~~~!~~~: elt~i9·:a~~~;;t.;::::::::::::: ~Ug
Mills
Panoram
... _ ...... _ ....... _. _ ................. __ 325.00
Mill. P •• p Slhow (Without .tand) ........
My.tic EYO (Exhibit) ................................
Photo
Electric Rifl.
Rang.
Unit
(Chang.over for S •• burg Guns) ..
Plk •• P.ak ..................................................
Pe.p Show (Back to Natur.)...........
P •• k Show (Hav. a Look) ....
Plant.llu. (without ,Id • • Igns) ...........
Popmatic Po pcorn Machin.....................
P.ri.coP. ..................
..
Pok.r & Jok.r.................. .....................
Radiogram (Exhibit) ......
Rameses
42.~0
89.50
25.00
169.50
49.50
215.00
29.50
129.50
(Exhibit)
275.00
139. 50
13.75
15.00
49.50
49.50
39.50
69.50
215.00
89.50
150.00
................. _ ................. I!'>O ""
R.d . Whit. & Blu. Targ&t (A.B.T.) ..
Rockola T.n Pin. (Unpainted)
Rocko la Ten Pins (repainted)
..........
Rotary (Pusher Typ.) without motor...
Scr •• n T •• t ................. _ ...............................
S •• burg Chlck.n Sam ................................
Sk •• Ball.tt. (Gottll.b) ..........................
Sk ... Jump (r.paint.d) ....... _.....................
Skill Jump (Gro.tch.n) ......................
Shocker, Advance Electric Ic....................
Sky Fight.r ..................................................
22.50
59.50
69 . fiO
149.50
149.50
109.50
69.50
59.50
29.50
12.50
225.1\0
~~~~:ngB.f~~~~ «~v"a~~r.~o.~~I) ::::::.:.: 2~~:~g
Stoner'. Races ................. _ ......... .............
Tail Gunn.r ..............................................
T.n Strike (Ellan.)
T.n Strike Evan. (R.paint.d) ....
T.st Pilot (Cabln.ts Only) ..........
Texas Leaguer ............... __ .....
Tokyo Gun ......................................
Tricks (G.nco) Pin Ball.............
U nit.d Nation. ........ ................
W •• t.rn str.ngth T •• t.. ............... _.....
Whoop.. Ball .................................
Wizard P.n ................................................
World S.ri.. (Rockola) ........................
Your Future Home...................
Pikes P.ak Stand.......................................
89!'>"
119.50
59.50
69.50
20.rn
49.50
119.50
29.50
89.50
39.50
3.50
169.50
89.50
29.!'>0
IDEAL NOVELTY CO.
2823 LOCUST ST.
1.95
ST. LO UIS, MO.
be "Thanks for the Two-when can we
get 10 moreT' Jones reports.
The Rowe Cigarette Service with B. E.
Moran in charge, reports business good
despite the holidays, at which time activi-
ties are usually rather quiet.
Reports just received from Twin Falls,
Idaho, declare that county commissioners
there, discussing the county's gambling
sore spot, the 12 slot machines in night
clubs outside Twin Falls city limits, gave
the operators the green light signal this
week providing a $50.00 per year payment
is paid the county for each machine.
The two clubs granted permission to
operate the machines are the Canyon
Lodge and the N. Club. Eight machines
ranging from 5 cents to $1.00 will be
operated at the N. Club while the other
four ranging from 5c to 25c will be in use
at the Canyon Lodge.
Commission Chairman Ernest V. Mo·
lander explained that the $50.00 license
fee which has been collected for each
machine will put the county gambling
spots under supervision of the sheriff's
office; period is from November 1 to July
1, 1946. Other commissi'oners giving -their
approval for operation under the new fee
were Kenyon Green and Ben Potter.
The county previously granted permits
to both lodges for operation as liquor
locker clubs under $500 surety bond. The
bond for the N. Club dated Nov. 14, was
reviewed and approved by commissioners.
It was signed by John L. Robertson and
Etta B. Robertson.
Viola Hutton
S eattle
When Councilman James Scavotto pro-
posed an ordinance limiting the number
of city pin game licenses to 2,000, he
tossed out the hottest potato Pacific North-
west Coin land has handled in years. At
the time Councilman James spoke the fated
words, there were 1,940 licenses on the
municipal books; but ere his voice had
cleared the august chambers, somebody
scooped up sixty. The 2,000 limit was
reached and Scavotto wanted no more.
The action, he claimed, would benefit
local operators because outside interests,
intent upon sweeping in for a killing,
would be stymied.
The story, as it came from City Hall,
went like this: the pin game situation as
it now functions, is good. The city has
glossed over the operators and finds the
boys are not cut-throating nor installing
near schools. The City Fathers want to
keep it that way, and that's the reason
for the proposal.
If we still possessed the naive freshness
of our rookie reporting days, we would
be tempted to swallow the yarn, smack
our lips contentedly and say, "That's
mighty nice of the council to look out for
local operators." But after birds-eye-view-
ing the field for more than eight years,
we know that politics and the Good Sa-
maritan are never on speaking terms, and
to keyhole the picture in its clearest per-
spective, we knew we had to dig-but
deep.
After probing the countless ramifications,
after listening to a cross-fire of diverse
charges and counter-charges, after search-
ing out the angles and putting them under
a powerful magnifying glass, this is the
way the cards stack:
There is strong evidence that the mo-
nopoly boys are on the move: You can
count the really large pin game operators
on the fingers of one hand and still have
one or two digits left untouched. One
of them allegedly put the bug in Scavotto's
ear. Another "biggie" was heard boastin/!"
about what would happen if the ordinance
was made law. "If the small guys will
play ball with me, I'll take 'em under
my wing. If they don't, they WOR't have
their licenses very long."
If a few top ops did succeed in ruling
the roost, the plight of the distributor
would be a sorry one. If the big boys
didn' t want to buy any new games, they
just wouldn't buy any; and if they didn't
feel like giving the location ace-high serv-
ice, they wouldn't. If there were any
small operators left, they would be in
business by the good graces of the big
guys and they wouldn't dare make an un-
toward move. The monopoly boys might
eventually get control of all 2,000 licenses
and run the show the way they wanted
to run it.
Restaurant and tavern owners howled
their protest to the council. Let's look
at their side of th e J?icture if the 2,000
limit were in effect. Bill Dokes runs a
small cigar store and the two pin games
help pay the rent. Up the street, Elmer
Doe opens a large bowling alley. He wants
a couple games. The operator, being lim-
ited in licenses, removes the two games
from Bill Dokes' store and places them
in Elmer Doe's alley, thereby increasing
their play-but certainly not helping Bill
Dokes pay his rent. The best spots would
get the games; the small. locations would
go without.
V~gorous opposition on the part of loca-
tions caused the measure to be indefinitely
postponed, but it is showing life again
under different markings. The council
changed their tune-but does the same
melody linger?-and wanted every opera-
tor applying for a license or renewal to
pass through the police lineup, after which
the council would arbitrarily approve or
disapprove.
The opposition fired back
that there was nothing wrong with that if
the council would show cause why an
applicant was disapproved and if the ap-
licant had recourse to law.
That's where the proposal stands today:
officially, it's indefinitely postponed; un-
officially, it's still a hot potato that hasn't
sprouted.
'" * *
It happened to a friend of an operator.
She took little Junior, aged 5, down to-
confer with Santa Claus at one of the
department stores. This particular store
has a novel window display. Amid a
background of white bobbing Eskimos and
penguins, sits Santa in all his glory. At
his elbow is a microphone, and the words.
of Santa and the boys and girls he inter-
views are loud·speakered to the audience
outside. Junior waited in line. Young-
sters who drove Mamma and Pappa simply
cra-a-azy at home, walked up meekly and
sat practically tongue-tied on the red-suited
lap while Santa gushed over the little
angels. Came Junior's turn. Up the ramp
and on to the lap he went. Then Santa
went into his routine. "Well, my little
man, what do you want for Christmas?"
he asked genially. Little Junior (so help
me, I've got witnesses that'll swear this
actually happened) looked very annoyed,
and said: "Jesus Christ, haven't you got
my letter yet?"
And still they come: Coin Row's well-
worn welcome mat thumped to the arrivaI
of Al Sleight, regional sales manager for
Bally, and Operators Abe VanDi'est, Ya-
kima, Ted Brower, Aberdeen, Roy White,
Port Angeles, Earl Stump, Anacortes, E.
L. Lewis, Klamath Falls, and Van Booth,
Mt. Vernon.
Twenty trophies and three war bonds

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