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NO RACING FOR NEW YORK JOCKEY CLUB ORGANIZATIONS DECIDE NOT TO APPLY FOR THE USUAL DATES. Directors Liability Law to Blame for Decision of Governing Body to Continue Suspension of Sport Unless Relief Is Obtained. New York, March 22. Unless the legislature or the courts come to the relief of the racing associations of New York, there will be no racing on the metropolitan tracks this year. This was made clear by the following official statement issued last night by Algcruon Daingerfield, assistant secretary of this Jockey Club: "At a meeting of the representatives of the Coney Island Jockey Club, the Brooklyn Jockey Club, the Westchester Racing Association, the Saratoga Association, the Queens County Jockey Club, tho Empire City Racing Association aud the Metropolitan Jockey Club, held today, it was decided to make no application to the state racing commission for racing dates. As the so-called directors liability law ra mains on the statute books the same reason exists, as in September. 1910. Tor keeping the courses closed, and it was further decided to make this public announcement." August Belmont, chairman of the Jockev Club, in an interview following the official announcement, said that the .statement issued in behalf of the racing organizations meant just what it said. "Racing is a victim of adverse legislation." he said, "and unless the directors liability law is repealed it will mean the abandoning of racing in this state. Those big stakes for which nominations have already been made will probably be run off in private, with the public excluded." The directors liability law, to which reference is made in the statement issued by tho Jockev Club renders tho directors and officers of anv racing association criminally liable for any infraction of the anti-betting law on a course under their control. Inrier this statute IT two persons should maks a cash wager on any part of the, course the owners arc amenable to the law. - - There is a case now pending in the courts which may decide the matter. This is a friendly suit instituted last fall by the minority stockholders of the Westchester Racing Association against the directors of that club for the tatters action in calling off ttHv fall dates at the course. The defense contends that under the statute they were compelled to close the course. If the courts decide in favor of the minority, which will mean that tho law is unconstitutional, the tracks will resume. It has also been intimated that the legislature may be asked to repeal llJl the obnoxious law. New York. -March 22. As a result of the decision of the racing oflicials not to apply for dates for the f ou .k tracks, 11. T. Wilson will send his string to Pimlico and probably will campaign through Canada. S. C. Ilildreth probably will ship hi strong stable to England and R. F. Carman has already entered liberally for the Kentucky Stakes. In some quarters it is thought that the present Legislature will amend the drastic laws, but such action is not expected in time for racing this spring. Workmen who hart heen preparing Belmont Park for the seasons racing have all been taken off the 10b and nothing has been done at any of the other courses.
