Letters to
the editor • • •
Operators' friend
I would like to write and express
my sincere feelings for the tragic
loss of Ralph Lally, a fine publisher
and friend to all the operators.
Even though many operators of
all states and boundaries may not
have had the opportunity of meeting
this unique man, he stood up and
stated fact for fact . He printed the
truth . He didn't bend to the power
of unseen forces as others have
done.
He didn 't write for the distribu-
tors and manufacturers , he wrote for
the operators and about the opera-
tors. Mr. Lally stood his ground and
printed the truth, even though this
truth could cause great pain. They
boycotted his magazine and tried to
destroy him and his writings. But
the truth still lives within his
magazine.
I am proud to have known him.
He was a good m an , a fine man, a
true friend to all operators. Mr. Lally
died at the young age of 38. In those
years, he acco mplished very much ,
but most of all, he told the truth .
He fought for the operator. For
instance , if a m anufacturer m ade
junk, he stated simply, it was junk.
The pressure was his honesty. He
felt it his duty to inform all of his
readers no matter what the cost.
Some turned on him because he
would not sell the operator out with
PLAY METER. April 15, 1965
something he did not believe in.
The manufacturers were making
one video after another. The opera-
tor couldn't keep buying new
machines, and Mr. Lally kept the
operators informed of the better
machines and the lemons. Some
manufacturers may not have liked
this. The m a nufacturers kept o n
making machine after machine. The
operator could not try each or even
half of the machines that were
manufactured ; so they relied m os tly
on Play Meter to help out. Many,
many operators were forced out of
business because they could not keep
up with their competitors.
Mr. Lally stood up and told the
manufacturers the operators were
going out of business, that they
couldn't keep up with all the latest
equipment and come out ahead.
Finally, we are all in a slump in this
industry.
If Mr. Lally were here tod ay we
would be well-advised. I had so
much confidence in his word. I knew
he spoke the truth . Everything he
wrote was based on wh at we, the
operators, had told him. Money was
no fact in the matter. He printed
everything the operators told him.
If you want to know the truth,
read Play Meter magazine. You can
see how you stand; and, without Mr.
Lally, I feel a light growing a little
dim. With the help of Play M et er's
new editor and publisher, Mrs. Lally,
we ca n all brighten our futures . I
wish her all the best, and I know she
will remain as honest as her hus-
ba nd wa s.
Gary Domino
American Amusement
Morgan City, Louisiana
SAVE $2000
Bally Midway Bank Panic
Dedicated - $2495
Buy the Kit - $495
Video Ware, Inc.
"The Operator's Distributor"
600 Clover Street
Los Angeles, CA 90031
213/ 225-1337
Telex: 295379 TABLEBVISION
DISTRIBUTORS
& VENDORS
COIN-OP
BAR TOP
AMUSEMENTS
&OBRIETY C.OOSULTAnT
3 GAMES IN ONE
Alcohol • Reflex •Memory
Sampler Package: $1500/3 units
Every Night Oub, Lounge,
& Bar needs "The Judge 3000".
CALL 615/588-7769
MACRA SALES, INC.
P.O. Box 1585 • Knoxville, TN 37901
Uplifting story
Re : "Up Front : Some Still Care
About This Industry," good for you!
Thanks for the first uplifting
story I've read in a lo ng time about
the industry.
We h ave it pos ted o n our bulle-
tin boards for all the IDEA ga ng to
read .
Bonita J. De Vale
IDEA
Sycamore, Illinois
HOFFMAN & HOFFMAN tokens are
minted under the most rigid quality control
standards. We match Old World craftsmanship with
advanced technology . HOFFMAN & HOFFMAN has
the best prices, fastest delivery , and highes t quality
tokens in the nation .
CUSTOM TOKENS SHIPPED IN 10 DAYS
HOFFMAN & HOFFMAN
P.O. BOX 896, CARMEL, CA 93921
800-227-5813
IN CA 800-227-5814
CJ).