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HOW IT IS FIGURED AT NEW ORLEANS. New Orleans, La.. October 23. There will be little difficulty in making expenses if a sufficient number of large bettors patronize the winter meeting, which opens here n December 5. according to a close observer of the game, who figures that enough money can easily be made to wan-ant the offering of practically as good purses and high-class sport as last season. However, it all depends upon the humor of tlie crowds and whether or not sundry sports with plethoric bank rolls come hero for the sole purpose of "betting against" horses, making book, if you like. Five per cent, commission on bets aggregating 0,H0 for each day of the meeting would amount to ,500. and this sum, which really should be about the average commission collected if there are many big bettors here,, will go a long way toward making both ends meet when the gate receipts are added in. Last winter 5 each race was charged for book-making privileges, and each book in line was taxed that amount for taking liets plus a few minor sums for stationery, etc. From twenty to forty knights of the slate and stool were in the lists, tlie number varying, but never less than ,500 was paid by them to help swell the receipts of the association daily, although it was a dull day when as low a total as 0,000 was wagered on the races. So it is readily seen that five per cent, commission should not prove an excessive rate and will not prevent big operators coming here this winter. The layers will have to be provided with larger bank rolls thau usual on account of the fact that the total amount of each separate wager will have to be deposited in the stake holding office maintained by the association. Only the cash will count and the plan contemplates allowing no other kind.
