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COMMENDATION FOR THE NEW VALET RULE. Pcrccntago of Peculiar Transactions on the Turf Will bo Decreased Will Increase Public Confidence. "The Jockey Club has taken another step toward protecting the racegoiug public against possible schemes laid In the betting ring to get the money," says the New York Sun by way of comment on the recently adopted rule placing the control of jockey valets in the hands of Robert Pinkerton. "Last year the Jockey Club, or rather the Westchester Racing Association, put a rule Into effect that practically caged the riders between races so that nobody could talk to them but their employers. This plan was adopted because of the practice of numerous well known speculators in talking to jockeys in the paddock before and after races. While there was never any conclusive proof that jockeys were fixed by these persons, the confabs looked bad and the officials of the turf decided to stop them. The example set by Belmont Park in the fall was followed by the other tracks, so that It was a difficult matter to get a word to the jockeys in their -temporary place of confinement unless it was by means of their valets, for each jockey, either of high or low degree, has a valet who looks after his effects with the care of a good servant. From time to time these valets have ben mixed up in stories of scandal, but there has been no particular way to land one of them. "They have acted in the capacity of confidential agents for the jockeys, as well as servants, and in that way have been able to do some very important things, it is said, in the shape of private transactions with avaricious turfmen who Ielieve that the true spirit of sportsmanship lies In the possession of an ace In the sleeve. "But while jockeys are usually well known to racegoers and can be recognized anywhere the valet hitherto has been able to travel about Incog. He could whisper to his employer in the paddock without attracting attention, then hurry off for a confab with some well known plunger and even invade the betting ring for an exchange of compliments with several bookmakers. AH this has been possible without the knowledge of the general racegoing crowd, with the Jockey Club meanwhile trying to discover a remedy for the evil. But the remedy has been found at last, and iu future there will be no peace or mind cither for the unscrupulous jockey or his willing valet. "Robert Pinkerton, who has general supervision of the racetracks in the Interest of the Jockey Club, has been Instructed to take charge ot this valet business. As a result he has decreed, in accordance with the stewards instructions, that no valet can be employed by a jockey without first receiving a Pinkerton license. Furthermore all valets must wear a regular uniform, numbered In such a manner that the wearers can be Instantly identified. These licenses can be revoked by Mr. Pinkerton at a-moments notice, which menas that the offender will be barred from the jockeys room and practically ruled off the turf. "While the Pinkerton sleuths will have the usual supervision over both jockeys and valets it can be readily appreciated under the new order of events how easily wrongdoers can be detected by the racing public if a sharp eye is kept constantly peeled. "How many valets in uniform and wearing numbers which disclose their identity will make trips from the jockeys room to the betting ring just as the horses are going to the post? How many of them will hurriedly whisper mysterious words in the ears of sure thing gentlemen In the paddock? It looks very much as if the Jockey Club has succeeded at last In making the Operations of shady persons extremely difficult, although their complete obliteration is impossible. Peculiar transactions on the turf are not always confined to the tracks. They can be fixed up the night before, especially when it is known what jockeys are going to ride. But even the jockeys are not always the marks for corrupt schemers, for the trainers can do much In their own quiet way -to bring about the defeat of a horse which will naturally help the success of another. Still the Jockey Club has always tried to keep a line on the overnight operations by means of the Pinkerton gumshoe men, who usually see who are the companions of both jockeys and trainers away from the racetracks. In taking such action the Jockey Club has fully recognized the Importance of protecting the public, as the support of racegoers has made racing a phenomenally successful sport in this state. But at that the Jockey Clubs most important move in this direction was the severing of all financial relations with the betting ring and the suppression of certain bookmakers who for a time labored under the delusion that they could dictate the policy of the turf. All of which has served In doubly increasing the publics confidence in the men who rule the turf In the east without fear or favor." i 1 ; 1 f i
