view raw text
PERFECTING THE PARI-MUTUEL. System Employed at Churchill Downs Excites Wonder and Admiration of Notable Visitor. Louisville. Ky., May 20. — Dractically a quarter of a million dollars was handled on Derby Day by the New Louisville Jockey Club, and so perfect is tin-system employed by this organisation lhat this vast sum. pouring into the hands of an army of employees within a few hours, came within a few dollars oi balancing. This achievement was possible through various methods devioi d by M. T. Winn, vice president and general manager of the New Louisville Jockey Club. So impre-sed was Thomas H. Williams, president of the New California lackey Club, who was a visitor, that lie said to Colonel Winn: "This whole thing is amazing and admirable. How do yen do it" and who is responsible for this system : Gotoaei Winn, in his matter -of fact manner, replied: ••f devoted some time to perfecting this system and with great can engaged expert- to carry out Ideas explained to them. As a result we get spi ed and accuracy." Truly, as Mr. William- said, the paii-inutuel system and tie- general management of eveything in connection with the New Louisville Jockey Club. i- based upon banking house methods. There is -light chance for an error. If a mistake is made it is quickly discovered and Just as speedily corrected. When the mutuel method of wagering was adopted by Colonel Winn probably the majority of persons believed that it would not prove popular. How pre cisely the officials of the Jockey club were able to forecast tin- outcome is demonstrated by the rapidly Slowing popularity of the system because of its gri iter fairness to the nubile, and its adoption in Camilla, at Pimlico and tin- eagerness of racing folk elsewhere to adopt it. Time baa illustrated that it safeguards the tart and entries with it all that is desirable and nothing that i- objectionable. All complications have been mastered by Colonel Winn. He first had to devise a series of tickets. This presented seemingly endless problems and entailed tin- working out of many ideas. To acquire quickness in ascertaining the value of cashable ticket- was another. To perfect a machine to registi r tie- sale of tickets was another. All of this bai been accomplished, and more. Heretofore two men operated a uiatkiue. Oue "clicked" tbe bet, wbile the other handed out the ticket and aeeepfed the money. Now one man manipulates the machine with the aid of electricity, lie does tin- "clicking" and gelling of tickets. Colonel Winn lias just arranged to add to the machines a device that to -e-into a receptacle In front of the buyer the ticket desired. Thus the seller does not handle the ticket. Mr. Williams, in addition to raising the lyisi-ness methods of the local racing organization, said of the Derby: "It was the greatest tiling in the way of a Derby I ever saw. I was especially impressed by the enthusiasm due to that inborn spirit that "exists in every Kenttiekiau. The race, the crowd ami all of the spectacular incidents of the occasion have left up-ill my mind a lasting impression. I never saw so many beautiful women assembled before on a race course. That sight alone w is worth the trip aero— the continent. You may say that as long as I live and the Kentucky Derby is run, I shall come, no matter where I am." Judge Call, of New Mexico, who Is a native of Kentucky, and who studied law iu the office of Judge Lindsay at l-ranklort. expressed the same entliu siasin regarding the Derby as lhat evinced by Mr. Williams. Hereafter, lie says, the Derby will always liml him a spectator.
