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CONCERNING PROFESSIONAL TIPSTERS At New Orleans a few days ago United States District. Judge Saunders, in charging the federal grand jury, denounced professional tipsters claims in advertising and said in substance that if these tipsters were able, as they claimed, to "give inside information" as to the results of racing, it was direct evidence that the racing could not lie honest and that If the race tracks were not themselves implicated in these frauds, they would not permit the publication of the advertisements. Mis arguments were based apparently on the belief that the race track managers could cause the exclusion of such advertisements from the newspapers, which publish them, should they see fit. If these things .could he shown to be true, lie said, the grand jury could indict the race track owners for conducting a scheme to secure money by fraud, and could exclude the publications referred to from the mails. It may be said that in general the advertising tipster is a nuisance and his extravagant claims are dishonest and untrue. But there are exceptions. Some men imbued with honest belief in the correctness of a system of handicapping to which they arc devoted, advertise and place their conclusions at the service of their patrons without the suspicion of fraud. Some others, a few, have confederates at the track experienced in watching and timing horses In their work and from what they see there form fairly accurate deductions as to .the condition and speed of horses likely to run soon. These, when used in the interests and for the information of their customers, are legitimate and in a loose use of language may be called "inside information." As to the irresponsibles, the confidence men and crooks who advertise in such terms as to lead a learned judge, that is, learned in the law but not In the froth of the race track, to conclude such persons have advance knowledge of how races will terminate, it is sufficient to say that they are liars and thieves in all ways and improperly out of prison. The suggestion, that race track managers are in some fashion responsible for such carrion and able to control or in any way prevent their advertising. Is based on misunderstanding. A swift kick and a toss over the fence is the mildest track authorities would administer to such birds of night. Daily Racing Form allows some persons whom It believes to be honest in their professions and dealings, to advertise in its columns, but only under strict rules which will he made stricter. No claim of "Inside information" will hereafter be allowed to be printed without evidence of its reasonableness and accuracy in advance. No one versed in the ways of the track can doubt that a clear-headed and experienced observer can legitimately gather information of real value to persons not on the ground at Oakland or New Orleans. It must be absolutely of this character to gain admission. No delusive jargon or word juggling hinting something not probable will be accepted.
