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The Gambling Mania

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1903

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 80, No. 43.

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The Gambling Mania

By L. A. S.

In answer to the question, “Is gambling on the increase among young business men?” the Chicago Tribune of October 14 says:—
While London is concerned over the growth of the gambling mania among women, and New York is compelled now and then to admit that its four hundred is spending too much time at the green baize tables, Chicago is lifting the voice of anxiety over the wayward tendencies of its clerks, bookkeepers, and salesmen.
Additional interest has been lent to the discussion this week by the action of Franklin MacVeagh & Co. in posting an anti-gambling order for the guidance of their employees.
When the clerks and salesmen of the grocery house went to work Monday morning, they found the store placarded with this notice:—
“Respectable and moral associations outside of business hours are expected of every employee. The visiting of gambling houses, whether through curiosity or the intention of playing, must be avoided. Any employee who frequents any such places, or indulges in betting on horse races, ball games, or anything of this sort, is subject to immediate dismissal.”
In explanation of the action, Rollin A. Keyes, a member of the firm, said:—
“We do not wish this action to be taken as indicating that we have suffered from peculations of employees through their addiction to gambling. We have not posted this warning merely to protect ourselves, but for the good of the men whom we employ. As we would not engage or keep in our employ a person who was not respectable and moral, we would not have our employees cultivate evil associates to their own detriment.”
“The gambling fever is so prevalent that numbers of young men are succumbing to it and becoming addicted to a habit that will sooner or later ruin the victim. The only safe course is to steer clear of the temptation by keeping good company and staying away from such places.”
Of such moment is the spread of the betting evil considered in the business world that several trade journals have opened their columns to a discussion of ways and means for counteracting it. The current issue of the Retailers’ Journal contains an editorial setting forth the situation and suggesting remedies.
Rules similar to the one posted at Franklin MacVeagh’s have been in force for years in Marshall Field’s, Mandel Brothers’, Schlesinger & Mayer’s, Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co.’s, Siegel, Cooper & Co.’s, and other State Street houses employing large numbers of young men. In the big wholesale houses, such as Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., W. M. Hoyt Company, Sprague, Warner & Co., and Morrisson, Plummer & Co., the same strict attitude in the matter of the private conduct of employees has long been observed.
It is a curious fact that the establishment of restaurants in the big stores and wholesale houses, where employees may take their noonday luncheons without leaving the building, has operated to diminish betting on races. When the employees go out for their meals, they are only too likely, it is said, to drop into a saloon or cigar store, and place a dollar or two on a horse.
In this connection the remarks of a bartender in whose place a hand book is made are to the point.
“Why, it’s only too true the young clerks and bookkeepers from the banks and the ribbon counter are our best customers. Some of ’em has quite an eye for the ponies, too. They generally come stringing in here about 1 P. M., generally in so much of a rush they haven’t time for a friendly glass of beer. They have only got half an hour for lunch, and they have to hustle to get their bets up and get back to work.”
The rule against gambling on the part of employees of a business firm is considered necessary because employees addicted to gambling are almost certain to steal money or goods from the firm to make up their losses. There can be no doubt that the chief causes of gambling—the fast life of the present day, with its numerous opportunities for betting, and the desire to get rich quick—are becoming more potent year by year.
L. A. S.