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(Editor's note: With the following bit of opinion from Brooklyn operator
Patrick E. O'Toole Jr., president of EZE Repair Co., Play M eIer begins a new
reader service. A chance to let industry and association leaders and the
everyday operator voice their ideas to others, " Sound Off" will appear as
frequently or infrequently as we receive reader comments. Designed as
something more than a letter to the editor in the "Mailbox" section, material
that appears in this column should be written in a logical and easy-to-under-
stand fashion and should clearly express the writer's opinion, philosophy or
ideas about some industry or personal business subject of either a national or
local nature. Articles should be typewritten, double-spaced. We will accept
handwritten items, but only if they 'are clearly legible. Please send your
thoughts to Dept. S, Play Me Ier, P.O. Box 24170, New Orleans, La. 70184.)
By Patrick E. O'Toole Jr.
There is only one solution to the current economic crisis for the com
machine industry.
Inflation has destroyed the value of the penny, nickel, dime and quarter;
therefore the 50-cent and $1 coins are the only means for saving our
industry.
It is up to all of us to promote the use of half-dollar and dollar coins.
Promote the use of half-dollar play: one quarter/one play, two quarters/two
plays, a half-dollar/three plays.
The Bureau of the Mint is producing sufficient numbers of these coins to
meet present demands, but most banks do not stock half-dollars because of a
lack of demand.
Supply your music locations with half-dollars - we must start somewhere
before it is too late.
Most other countries have a more workable monetary system with coins
equal to one cent, 10 cents, 50 cents, $1, $5 and some with $10 and $20
coins. Our 50-cent and $1 coins have not been in general use for several
years.
We need these coins back in circulation if the coin machine industry is to
survive. Paper currency will never be able to support our business. Write your
congressmen and senators and urge them to support increased production of
half-dollar and dollar coins. Write the manufacturers of equipment you now
own or intend to purchase and request information for converting to
half-dollar and dollar coins.
If demand for these coins drops any more, the Bureau of the Mint may
cease producing them. At the present rate of inflation, today's quarter play
will be dollar play by 1985 and it will be very cumbersome to deposit 10
dimes or 20 nickels or four quarters for one play. But it would be very
convenient to deposit a dollar coin or two half-dollars.
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