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COMPLIMENTARIES WILL BE SCARCE. New York. December 24. It is now asserted, according to competent authority, that besides the abolition of the field Ktands on the metropolitan tracks next seasn, the officials of the different local racing associations have decided to practically discontinue the issuing of free badges. In the past each racing association issued between 1,500 and 2.000 complimentary badges to politicians, city and state officials and others. With a reduced attendance next year, the track managers have decided that every dollar will count and that a free list will be out of the question. "The persons who enjoyed these privileges." said a race track stockholder yesterday, "not only abused them, but also were of no assitance in our light against the anti-betting .law. Consequently there appears to be no good reason why they should enter our tracks free of charge in future. It has been figured out that the average number of free badges used each day last season was close to 1.000, all of them admitting holders to the enclosure. With no free list these persons would probably attend the Taces anyway. In which event the daily revenue would be increased to ,000, enough to pay for six 00 purses in overnight races. If the tracks keep expenses down to a minimum for the next few years and also make everybody pav at the gates they can live. From what I have heard, all the tracks will conduct meetings, and they may race at least five days a week, possibly six. It all depends upon what the public can do in the way of betting without fear of arrest." Horsemen at the Waldorf were discussing the decision in Joseph Marrouea suit against the Washing- ton Jockey Club yesterday. The fact that the suit, which was instituted by Marrone because he was barred from the Benning track, had been dismissed was regarded as a signal victory for tlie Jockey Club. In future, it is believed, persons who buy badges and are afterward put out of the tracks will accept such treatment as final. In a word, the Jockey Clubs power to rule off persons who violate the rules of racing appears to be still supreme. James Rowe has left for Ohio, where he will spend the holidays with Mrs. Rowe and his relatives in that state. He announced an intention to return to Sheepshead Bay early in January. Thomas Welsh has had some prospective buyers looking over the horses which he has quartered at Gravesend and It is likely that several high-class yearlings he has in his stable will shortly change ownership.
