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PENSACOLA IN A TURMOIL SMALL FACTION OF BUSINESS MEN SEEK TO PREVENT RACE MEETING. Large Majority of Members of Commercial Association Repudiate Action of Minority Southern Jockey Club Adds to Complications. Pensacola, Kin., March "0. The action of sixteen members of the Pensacola Commercial Association who voted to take steps towards preventing the running of the race meeting scheduled to open here tomorrow stirred up considerable turmoil today. The sixteen members constituted the majority at last nights meeting, only twenty-eight being present. When it was learned of the action about 150 other business men and members of the Commercial Association, who were not present at the meeting last night, voiced their disapproval and declared against the action by signing a petition opposing any steps that may he taken to prevent the holding of the meeting. The matter for the present rests wih the county solicitor, who has been asked to render an opinion as to the legality of racing with betting. Ho is known to be favorable to the racing interests and as the Florida law does not forbid bookmaking in this state until May 1, the racing management does not feel greatly concerned over the possibility of an adverse decision. Some of the more timid of The horsemen, however, are taking the matter seriously and are not over sanguine that the meeting will materialize as per schedule. Another phase in connection with the local racing fliat developed during the afternoon was an announcement by the Southern Jockey Club that the meeting hero would not lie recognized and that all participating in it would bo outlawed, or something to that effect. The local management took this as a joke and would not give it even serious consideration. The alleged reason for not recognizing the meeting here was the failure of the management to apply for dates, also because the syndicate system of betting would prevail. Manager J. IT. Strode, in speaking of the Southern Jockey Club action, said: "I am a member of the Southern Jockey Club and see no reason why it .should oppose the meeting. As to the syndicate form of betting, why this vleyenth hour mandate? If we could operate here previously, and also at Trampa under the same system,, why cannot we now?" After a conference today it was decided to make the ring an open one. mid invite all reputable layers to cut in, so that eliminates the objectionable feature, But I ant not at all concerned over any rulings that the Jacksonville folks are minded to make and will go on with our meeting as per original announcement." The local newspapers, while not favoring the racing, are opposed to any eleventh hour action to prevent the meeting, and editorially challenge the Commercial Associations right to meddle in the matter. Minor details in connection with the meeting were perfected this afternoon and everything is now apparently in readiness for the opening. There were quite a number of arrivals today and more are expected tonight and tomorrow morning. While it has been annouueed that the ring will be open to all. it is unlikely that enough layers will on hand to draw in and it will force a syndicate style of betting. The management is sincere in their desire to operate an open ring and will do so if six layers will go on. Todays arrivals of horses increased the number on hand to over 200, and several more carloads are expected here after the close of the Moncrief Park meeting..
