Coin Slot

Coin Slot Magazine - #057 - 1979 - November [International Arcade Museum]
they've got husbands aboard whose wives don't
bling material. They maintained that slot machines
know they're out with other girls.
filled with money were illegally confiscated, part
Let's see what
happens."
of the ship's bankroll disappeared, and filed for
damages
for
destruction
during
the raid.
And
By this time, the Santa Monica Pier was crowded
Warren, Fitts, and Biscailuz took a vacation to visit
with relatives and friends of the marooned people,
the fiesta up at Santa Barbara, where Fitts was
waiting for developments or word from those a-
trapped for two hours in a hotel elevator.
board the REX.
Cornero said he had ample food
on board for all, and asked that authorities with
Cornero was still trapped on the REX.
draw so passengers could leave without the boat
far as we're concerned,
being rushed.
Alcatraz" Olney told reporters.
he might as well
"As
be in
On the fifth day
of the siege Tony was happy to learn that the
The greatest problem now facing Tony was the
gambling ship bill was killed in the Senate, as the
unrest and impending mutiny of the stranded cus
Congressional session had just ended, and the soli
tomers, urged on by the undercover officers still
tary
on board.
Austin of Vermont had prevented an otherwise
Fortunately for Cornero, a truce was
negotiated with Warren to let the water taxis trans
port the customers ashore on Wednesday.
from
Acting
Republican
Leader
unanimous passage.
Fifteen
of REX's employees who tried to leave with the
customers were spotted on shore and arrested.
the siege continued.
objection
But
Warren and the law enforce
The situation remained unchanged for five more
days until just before noon on Thursday August
10,
when
Cornero
suddenly
and
unexpectedly
ment officials were happy that they had stopped
abandoned ship, and wearing a big smile surrend
all gambling (as the water taxis were observing the
ered to Captain Contreras and Earl Warren, ending
restraining order), and were content to play a wait
the 10-day siege. "It was like General Grant taking
ing game and let the REX make the next move.
General
decided
By Thursday, August 3, only the State
Fish
Lee's sword," Olney
police station,
cutter were circling the REX.
"Mariner."
mored that Cornero had hauled down the Ameri
Tony
had
in the courts.
He was booked and mugged and the Santa Monica
and Game boat MAR LIN and the Coast Guard
Oscar Jahnsen ru
said.
it was time to do battle
where he gave
Bail
as his
occupation
was set at $5000 which was
promptly paid, and he had to return to court at
can flag and was seeking Japanese registry for the
2 PM that day for arraignment.
REX.
Warren put Captain George Contreras of
attorneys for Rex, Inc. asked the Appelate Court
Immediately the
the sheriff's vice squad in charge of the MARLIN.
for a writ of prohibition stopping the injunction
Contreras demanded the REX's surrender, but Cor
proceedings against the gambling ship, but it was
nero, a bull-like short and stocky man who had
denied.
no fear of the law, wearing his trademark tan stet
The
son sombrero, bellowed through his megaphone "I
legal
battles
continued
in
the
courts
won't give up the ship!" as his firehoses sprayed
through November.
through the air in a show of force and defiance.
son upheld Warren's contention that the waters
off
Later that day Contreras told Cornero "Oscar
Santa
Monica
state's jurisdiction.
On November 29, Judge Wil
constitute
a
bay
within
the
Cornero's attorneys, promin
Jahnsen wants to know if vou are ready to turn
ent trial
the REX over yet?," to which Tony laughed and
informed him that his position was now untenable.
lawyers Jerry
Giesler and
Louis Pink,
answered "What good would that do me," and
Tony decided it was financial suicide to continue
he called Jahnsen's flag story "a lot of bull" and
the court battle, so he dropped the fight and agreed
said he is not the least bit worried.
to the following conditions:
.co 1) m destruction by the State of California of all the
m
:
u
On the fourth day of the siege
the
House
of
m
use
gambling paraphernalia on the REX.
m
d bill fro which
Representatives passed the
provided
-
e
e
d
d
a
a
o
$10,000 fine and two
years imprisonment/for
op
l
c
r
n
2) payment to the State of $13,200 for its ex
w.a fines for operating
erating a gambling
Dow // ship
w and
w
:
penses incurred in abating the REX, an asserted
water taxis to t such
ships.
"It
ain't
right.
It's
ht p
nuisance.
unconstitutional" was Tony's reaction to the news.
Meanwhile, the owners of the S.S. TEXAS took
legal
action demanding the return of their gam
© The International Arcade Museum
3) settlement of L.A. County taxes of $4,200.
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