LOTTERIES
[To the Editor of the SPEcriszron.] SIR,—I have been much interested in the views expressed in your columns on the subject of Lotteries, because I have given a good deal of thought to substituting a National. Lottery for much of the speculation that now goes on in this country. Fifty years ago and later, the Louisiana State Lottery was in operation in this country, but as the tickets and literature were excluded from the United States mail, the different privately operated Express Companies, such as the Southern Express, Adams Express, American Express, &c., were utilized. It was perfectly true that in some cases men spent money for lottery tickets which should have been devoted to other uses, but it was also true that men were speculating in stocks, food, staples and horse racing.
From time to time, there appear in the public press state- ments respecting the vast amount of money lost in speculative investments, many of which were dishonest from the beginning, and it has seemed to me that human nature requires some outlet for that desire to secure something for nothing. Would it not be better for Government "Co conduct regular lotteries without any false sentiment, and with the definite thought that under Government supervision those who- had any desire to speculate might do so at least with an assurance that the lottery would be honestly conducted ? I am not in favour of extraordinary lotteries advertised for some par- ticular occasion, because these simply introduce a feverish element which would not be the case if - the Government conducted lotteries regularly and on a scientific basis.
1. There should be no pretence of charity by representing that all or part of the profit will go to some hospital. 2. There should be no very large prizes. Probably .a maximum of no,000 or $100,000.00 should not be exceeded.
3. Neither should the largest sum 'be limited to one major prize. Whatever maximum sum is decided upon should apply to at least three winning tickets. 4. Below the maximum prize there should be a reasonable number in each group, finally getting down . to a maximum prize of one £1 or $5.00.
5. The tickets should not be divisible, although of course, it would be impossible to restrain private individuals clubbing together and taking out one ticket in the name of one party. 6. The Government should retain forty per cent., applying that amount to the expenses and to such other public needs as might appear proper. The remaining sixty per cent. should be divided among-the ticket holders.
Based upon the experience in America with respect to the American Red Cross, I believe that there is considerable force in the statement that hospitals now deriving support from private subscriptions will suffer under any distribution of prize money. The American Red Cross always depends upon private subscriptions, has rejected the offer of Govern- ment grants, and never has failed to raise enough money to carry out any necessary relief in the United States. This statement, of course, does not apply to the. War period.,
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