Illegal Letters May Bring $320 or a Trip to Jail
Would you like to clear an extra $320 before Christmas. You also could lose $10 and end up in jail for one to three years.
Chain letters have again struck at KU with their usual magnetism. The question of their legality is again puzzling law experts.
THEY ARE ILLEGAL according to the Kansas Attorney General's office, as they come under Kansas Lottery Laws.
The plan is a lottery, according to Ralph King, Douglas County Attorney. Conviction on a lottery charge, which is a felony in Kansas, is punishable by one to three years in prison.
This series of letters, known as the $320 Club," are being passed mainly from hand to hand within living groups. Joe Mosier, McCollum Ha11 resident director, said the chain letters are "not only in McCollum, but in Hashinger, Templel, and Joseph R. Pearson Residence Halls as well. They spread like wildfire."
L. C. Woodruff, dean of students, said he had not yet heard of this chain letter, but pointed out KU has chain letters periodically.
"THEY FLAIR UP, get
squelched, die out, and then flair up again," he said.
"Although it sounds like a good thing, it is illegal." Emily Taylor, dean of women, said this morning in reference to chain letters.
Dean Taylor said she had not heard anything about the present letter. She did say students have been warned about the dangers of the letters in the past.
Here is the text of the chain letter:
"Welcome to the 320 Club. This letter was originated in 1964. If unbroken, this letter will yield to each person in the club. The club are as follows: The
1. The name of the attached check is to prove that this is not a hoax. Mail or personally deliver this check to the person immediately.
"2. Type two copies of the sheet, eliminating the top person and type your own name and address on the bottom. Thus address two becomes number one and everyone is moving up a notch, as each list is sold, your name gets higher and two more lists will be added to the chain.
3. Make out two checks for $5—each payable to number one on the list. That person is number two on this list.
money back.
"Then you are even and all you have to do is wait."
4. When your name is on top, the list, you will receive a message to get his money back will hurry to sell his own letter in order to get his own
money back.
LAWRENCE Postmaster, Jack Harris, said chain letters sent through the mail are considered illegal. He also pointed out according to federal law "any form of payment of a lottery share" is also prohibited from postal service.
Harris said he had no information on the most recent chain letter. If the Post Office receives a complaint, the postal investigation service will conduct an investigation, he added.
This letter parallels a similar letter which appeared on campus two years ago. In that incident $75 savings bonds were used in place of $10. Those passing the letters believe they came here from Kansas State University, where the other letters also came.
"FRANKLY, IWOULD guess that anyone whose name is on the bottom of the list today is not
Daily Kansas 11
Friday, December 3, 1965
from the
going to get a thing back." Dean Woodruff commented during the last episode.
Commonwealth Lawrence Theatres
"I want to protect a lot of our naive, stupid students from getting hurt on this," he said.
mentioned by Paul Wilson, professor of law, who is revising the Kansas Code. He said there is some question whether or not a chain letter can be considered a lottery. But if it can, it is illegal, Wilson said.
The question of legality was
Always the Best in Entertainment
(2)
ASSORTED CHOCOLATES
1 lb. $1.60 2 lbs. $3.15 3 lbs. $4.50 5 lbs. $7.50
KEY REXALL DRUGS
Malls Shopping Center
711 W. 23rd. VI 3-3771 Merry Christmas
shop in a casual atmosphere
for these outstanding brands
james kenrob
glen of michigan
catalina
villager
lady manhattan
the finest shop in the midwest area is
bernhard-altman gordon-ford evan-picone
The Alley Shop AT diebolt's 843 Mass.