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EASTERN EAtlNP. An" aiticle in Morning Telegraph of Monday makes cone tuggesticns of things probable or possible to happen in connection with eastern racing next year that is of interest to those who follow the fortunes of the turf. It is as follows: "ReaeEured by the snccees of the seaeon of 1899 the racing associations of the metropolitan district are already making preparations for an increase in the value of the stakes and purses to be offered next year. "More than half a million was distributed among horsemen last ceaBon, and the prospects , are that this sum will be increased by at least 50,CC0 in 19C0. There is a prospect that the purees of the Coney Island Jockey Club will be raised so that ,0G0 will be the lowest amount run for in any race. The question has not yet b;eu definitely decidbd, bnt cflicial ahounce-ment to that effect will probably be made in a few days. "Though no disposition toward overdoing the matter, as was the case several years ago, will be shown, it can be said that all the associations will increase the amounts of money added to their events. The programmes of the Westchester Racing Association, the Coney Island Jockey Club, Brooklyn Jockey Club and Brighton Beach Bacing Association for the season of 1900 have not been fully decided on, but when they do appear they will certainly make pleasant reading for the horsemen. "There is nothing more conducive to public confidence in raciDg than large stakes and purges. A conservative turf patron may have his doubts about pome horses in a race for a 00 puree, but even the most pronounced faultfinder is loath to pick out dead ones in a ,000 stake. "There ere many questions of policy to be considered by the Jockey Club stewards duiing the winter, and the prospects arethatthe members of the board will have their time pretty much occupied. One thing is certain. A great many things that happened last year will not happen again. There are a few persons who appeared as trainerB and jockeys at the metropolitan tracks who will have to apply their occupations elsewhere. "The conservative policy adopted by the Jcckey Club will be adhered to fs far as possible. There will be no grandstand playB, but when it comes to granting licenses for next year there will bo a great amount of quiet weeding-out done. "The queetion of dates for next season is an all-absorbing one with the associations. Last years Echedule was satisfactory to all in a general way. There were some few complaints, but nothing of import. But the allotment for next year will be no easy taBk. If present plans are carried out, ex-Corporation Counsel W. H. Clark expects to have the Empire City Club in Buch condition that he will be able to present its claims for dates at the Yonkers track. If he succeeds, and thero is at the present time no sign of failure, it will be necessary to so arrange the dates to give him a place aB to make racing every day at Morris Park and Sheepshead Bay obligatory if the full schedule is carried out. "Buch bn arrangement would, no doubt, prove satisfactory to all concerned horsemen as well as the associations. Few trainers like to have an off day when their horses are ready to run, and the gate would not be affected adversely. "Whhtwilllbecome of Baratoga in the event of crowding the dates to admit the Empire track is a hard question. If the accordion plan is adopted it will leave a number of free dates during July to be utilized by Saratoga. But if the other only way is taken, Baratoga must conflict. How this will be taken by Pres ident Walbaum remains to be Eoen. He made a hard fight for clear dates last year, and got them. Having for the first time tasted the sweets of a profitable season, it is more than likely that he will be opposed to any alteration in the schedule. There is ja. prospect of lively times when it comes to a question of decision, but it will probably be satisfactorily arranged. "The change in the management of the Saratoga cescciation, by which President Kearney was eucceoded by Mr. Walbaum and Secretary Chilton by Charlos Rime, may mean nothing more than an arrangement of business interests; but, then, again, it may. President Walbaum esEortsthat it has no political significance. He knows; but, like all astute politicians, he hss a habit of net telling it all at once. "It is well known that the Jcckey Club, as an organization, doires to get hold of Saratoga. It is also well known that Mr. Walbaum refused to accept the price offered by the club, last year, while Mr. Kearney was anxious to sell. If there have- been recent propositions submitted by the Jockey Club it ib not known. No one in a position to tell will admit or deny it. If there has been and Walbaum will not sell, what will happen? If tho date schedule is arranged without reference to Baratoga, what will Walbaum do? Perhaps he doesnt quite know himself, but, judging from the past, if there is a hitch there will be something " doing
