According to an 1805 state law, mechanical gambling devices were prohibited in Pennsylvania. Slot machines, which fell under the restrictions of that law, while illegal, were very popular and saw widespread use in private clubs, political and veterans’ organizations, particularly as a way to raise money for community projects or to help to pay off mortgages for their clubhouses.
In 1951, a federal law was signed prohibiting the interstate transportation of slot machines in violation of state law. The new Attorney General of Pennsylvania, Robert Woodside, with encouragement from Governor John S. Fine, decided to enforce the slot machine law by sending the state police on thousands of raids to seize and destroy the machines. As a result, it was estimated that more than 700 clubs in the state were put out of business.
Woodside was a native of Millersburg, and the American Legion Post there was the first organization in Millersburg to be raided. The Post did survive the raid and continued operating despite the loss of revenue – which it claimed was being used exclusively for community projects.
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From the Lykens Standard, September 5, 1952:
SLOT MACHINES SEIZED IN RAID AT MILLERSBURG
County detectives led by Harry Farina raided the Steever Day American Legion Post 326 home on North Market Street, Monday afternoon confiscating six slot machines and arresting the manager.
Authorities said the manager, Gordon P. Fralick, of 162 Union Street, was charged with establishing a gambling place. He was arrested on a warrant issued by Alderman Joseph Demma of Harrisburg, on orders of District attorney Huette F. Dowling.
The raid occurred at 3:40 p. m. when the place was in operation, detectives said. Confiscated were six five-cent slot machines. Fraelick was released in $500 bail by the alderman. No date has been set for the hearing, authorities said.
A spokesman said numerous residents of the town had complained to the district attorney’s office about the slot machines at the post home.
A similar article appeared in the Carlisle Sentinel, September 1, 1952, and the Sunbury Daily Item, September 2, 1952.
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From the Lykens Standard, February 13, 1953:
STEWARD FINED IN LEGION RAID
Gordon P. Fralich, president of the home association and steward of the American Legion Home, Millersburg, pleaded guilty to the charge of establishing a gaming house in Dauphin County Court Monday and was fined $100 and placed on probation for six months by President Judge Paul G. Smith.
Chief County Detective Harry Farina testified Fralich was arrested during a raid on the Legion quarters September 1, when six five-cent slot machines were seized.
Former District Attorney Carl B. Shelley, defense attorney, said Fralich did not gain personally from the operation of the machines and added that veterans’ associations used the revenue from the machines for community service projects. Shelley also said Fralich was a native of Millersburg, was married and had never been in trouble before.
District Attorney Huette Dowling said he agreed with Shelley that the veterans’ groups “perform a fine service in the community” but added that the defendant knew that operation of slot machines was illegal. He said he favored imposition of a fine but otherwise favored leniency since it was a first offense.
A similar article appeared in the Sunbury Daily Item, February 11, 1953.
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From the Carlisle Sentinel, February 10, 1953:
SENTENCED IN GAMBLING
Gordon P. Fralich, president of the Home Association and steward of the American Legion Home, Millersburg, pleaded guilty to the charge of establishing a gambling house, in court yesterday and was fined $100 and placed on probation for six months by President Judge Paul G. Smith, in Dauphin County Court.
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