Hot Fight is in Store for Reformers: New Yorks Racing Interests Will Not Stand Idly by When Percy-Gray Law is Attacked, Daily Racing Form, 1906-11-28

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HOT FIGHT IS IN STORE FOR REFORMERS. New Yorks Racing Interests Will Not Stand Idly By When Percy-Gray Law Is Attacked. "New York, November 27. The Jockey Club has kept faith with the public and with the lawmakers. It has respected a court order in the District of Columbia and, as usual, intends to act wholly within the requirements of the law. But racing men say that the Jockey Club, acting in good faith, will not stand idly by when renewed attempts are made to kill racing in this state. The enemies of racing say that they will have a forceful movement under way before the legislature convenes In January. They seek to combine the church element, with the Jerome crusade, with possible hacking from Governor Hughes, and they predict an easy victory. The legislators, however, know probably what the repeal of the Percy-Gray law means. While it could not close the racetracks, it would hamper the betting public to such a degree that the attendance .would be cut down materially. But even then a way would soon be devised by which betting would thrive again under new conditions. In fact, a prominent lawyer the other day outlined a new scheme to The Suns turf writer on these lines: "Suppose the Percy-Gray law Is repealed; what will happen then? Why, therell be a new shift in the cards. The tracks will remain open, the horses will run and the public bet. just the same but under an entirely new plan. Players will have to establish credit with layers away from the tracks. That is to say, a man before going to the races can hunt up Sol Liclitensteln at an advertised oflice In the city and place a certain amount, say .00, with him. Sol takes his name, credits him in his book with the century and then both go to the track. The man picks out three different bets during the afternoon and makes them with Sol, who sees to it that his customer does not overplay himself in the event of losing. If a winner, the player meets Sol in town after the races, or rather the next day, and the account is settled in full.; Persons who know the bookmakers will not have to make such deposits, but the rank and file wlll. How linen, can"anyVoTlyvgeta conviction of Sol for violating the law? He receives no cash from the customer at the track, makes only a few notes and that is all. But the law will not be repealed without a hot fight, young man; so it is not necessary to make new plans so early. There are "various ways to get around the problem, however, when the time comes, if it ever does."


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1900s/drf1906112801/drf1906112801_1_8
Local Identifier: drf1906112801_1_8
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800