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OFFERS TO GIVE STALLIONS AUGUST BELMONT PROPOSES ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL BREEDING BUREAU. Chairman of Jockey Club Advocates Following of Example Set by Leading Governments of Europe in Fostering the Thoroughbred. New York, February 10. Sportsmen from various sections of tlie United States and Canada gathered at the Waldorf-Astoria last night for the first dinner of its kind ever held in this country. Called in the interests of sport iu general, there were more than 5500 present, among them financial and social leaders in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Toronto and other cities. August Belmont, chairman of the Jockey Club, presided. Amoiig others piesent were Reginald Vau-derbilt, Hollis Hineliart, of Washiugtou, D. O.: Dr. O. C. Burton and William II. T. Huhn, of Philadelphia: James W. Graves, of Richmond, Va. ; Andrew Frecdman and Charles K. Harrison, Jr.,of Baltimore; Hobert Glendenning, of Philadelphia, ami Thomas F. Hyan, of New York and Hichtnond. Henry W. Smith, a gentleman steeplechase rider and all-around sportsman of Worcester, Mass., iu introducing Mr. Belmont as toastmastcr, said: "This is not a dinner of racing men, polo men or hunting men, but sportsmen, In the broadest distinction, for. as Lord North so truthfully said, There is a vast difference between a sportsman and a sporting man. but I do know that every gentleman interested in the future of sport feels that tlm Jockey Club and its chairman have done their besc to uphold clean sport under the laws of the state ot New York." August Belmont. 011 being introduced, said first with emphasis that the banquet had not the remotest connection with any movement looking toward legal relief for horse racing or appeals 10 the lawmakers for enabling legislation. Later lie an notinced that he would offer to the government six: stallions to start a national breeding bureau following, the lines of France, Germany. Canada and other countries. Included in tlie six which he proposes to present fo the government arc Henry of Navarre, which oni-e brought 50;00O at auction; and Octagon, the sire of Beldame, winner of a Suburban Handicap, one of the great mares of the American turf. "The great nations of Europe and . tltoir governments foster the racing and breeding qf thoroughbreds for the value they know they possess," slil Mr. Belmont. "That racing furnishes a recreatio:i for the public is subordinate. There arc attendant evils and sportsmen and lovers of the horso- should lie encouraged in their efforts to correct and eliminate them. But destroying racing as a public Institution is not helping the community. Upholding it and doing it justice by passing intelligent criticism upon racing faults is right and we should frown upon the bigot whose gloomy pessimism would turn Gods lluwcrs of the fields to a monotonous gray." The dinner probably will lead to an organization: of an association of -Iiorsenieh. binding together more closely such organizations as the Jockey Club, tlie Polo Association, the various bunt clubs and the steeplechase committees. As suggested by Harry W. Smith of Worcester, who arranged for tlie dinner, tlie organization will be broad, open to all sports of turf ami field. "We plan," ho says, "to make it open to sportsmen in the broadest sense of the word, including members both here and abroad. From every foreign country, almost weekly, come gentlemen who are fond of country life and have made a life study of horses, hounds and other animals. "The provision of entry should lie only that the prospective member be a siKirtsmen and a gentleman in his home town. There is no reason for restricting the membership to certain cities, for why should one wait till he takes up a residence in some centec of population before he is allowed to mingle witli flit; sportsmen of America? The main thing is fo restrict it to sKrtsiuen. for we are really an exclusive class and the true sportsman has a language of his own and a meaning to his words which others can never understand."
