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1 : ■ ! 1 1 ■ 1 STRUGGLING FOR CONTROL IN CALIFORNIA. President Williams and Colonel Dan Burns Said to Have Disagreement Over Racing Policies. San Frauciscy. Cal.. May 7. — Since the close of the Oakland track, the tlitTiren.es that have been developing tor some time between T. II. Williams autl Colonel Dan Bums have taken sialic and a keen contest is now- going on for control of the property, which is a valuable one even from the standpoint of its real estate. Mr. Williams will probably secure the actual control In conjunction with John Condon. of Chicago, who owns some twenty per cent, of the stock. Mr. Williams is said to have originally owned about twenty-three per cent, ami since the chtse of California racing lie has secured from eight to ten per cent. more, including 350 shares front Joe Rose, the bookmaker, at par. The holdings of Messrs. Burns ami Watethonse are said to be twenty seven per cent. There are less than una hundred stockholders in the New California Jockey Club. Many San Francisco persons own from fifty to owe hundred shares each. The stock is said to have paid from fifteen to seventeen per cent, yearly. Mr. Williams has proposed a plan to the small stock holders to pool their stock and put it in trust for two years, they to get o per share now and the remainder al Ihe end of the two years Some have accented. The New California Joc-ke] Club- stock amounts to Sl.Otiii.iKKi in Io.ihmi shares of .floo each. The rupture between Messrs. Williams and Burns came out of rejected plana by the latter to change the California Jockey Clubs policy and dmsatisfsc lion on Hie part of Coloiu-I Burns over the way In which the campaign against tlie Walker-Otis bill -which is now a law was managed. Mr. William- refused to compromise ou a plan that Colonel Burn, and others devised to prevent tin- pas-age of the Wnlker Otis law. It is saitl Unit tin- plan embraced the shortening of the San Francisco racing season and changes iu tin system of betting. It is even possible at this lime, according to tin- anti Williams faction, to scurc :: limit. -.1 racing law with unit in I betting for California. But the chances are all in favor of Mr. Williams retaining control. Colonel Burns denies that lie w ill make anv fight and is said to have offered to sell his holdings for cash, which Mr. Williams will not pay. hut has offered twenty per cent, now and eighty per cent, ill two years. San Francisco. Cal.. May 11. — Thomas H. Williams has purchased Colonel D. M. Bui 11- one fourth inter esi in Ihe New California Jockey Club and now holds a controlling interest in the club. Williams h.-is been luting hi. all stock that offered since the California racing season closed, at par.
