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RUMORS OF AMALGAMATION ARE RIFE. Since -the last meetings of the stewards of the Western Jockey Club and the directors of the American Turf Association, which were held on November 5 and 10, respectively, there has been a lot of gossip in turf circles here and away concerning the probability of an amalgamation of the governing bodies. The subject has been discussed by the officials of both organisations, but it is not known that either body lias made a specific overture to the other or that anything that might he regarded as a proposition has been submitted. "That there is to be unity is a certainty," said an officer in one of the organizations, "but when it is to be expected I cannot say. Personally 1 am of the opinion that it will not come until after the season at Now Orleans. The local situation will hai-e much to dt with the bringing of the bodies together, and the situation at Hot Springs and in Kentucky will haw some bearing on the matter. I have not heard that definite plans have been made for racing at Hot Springs, but I .regard; ii as practically certiu that . there will be u division of dates at Oadlawn and Essex Park and that there will be no friction, leven though there Is no amalgamation of the governing bodies before the opening of the season at Hot Springs." William Shannon, the chief spirit in the Hot Springs Jockey Club, attended tie meeting of the directors of the American Turf, Association last Monday and it was his intention to then make application for dates for Essex Park, but during the meeting a discussion of the situation and the announcement that another meeting is to 1k held in January caused him to withold the application.
