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MR. HOLTMAN IN TOWN. Starter Holtman arrived in Chicago yesterday en route to San Francisco, where he will do the starting, beginning December 14. Speaking of the system now used by Starter Fitzgerald at New Orleans, of lining the horses up twenty yards away from the barrier and permitting them to come on a run to it, Holtman said: "There is no doubt this is a long step backwards. It is nothing more than a revival of the old-time system before the numerous barriers were devised. What is the use of a barrier under that system? It makes bad actors and gives quick breakers all the better of the argument. What is aimed at, at the present time is to give bad actors an even break and put others than quick breakers on an equality. Take for instance a field of horses which has among them Dick Welles. How far do you suppose a fast breaker, like he is, would be in front when he got to the starter if you lined the horses up ten yards away, and permitted the field to come to the barrier on a run? He would be fully three lengths in front, wouldnt he? Well, that gives you a fair sort of an idea how the new system works."
