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JOCKEY CLUB STANDS FIRM NEW YORK WILL HAVE NO RACING UNLESS LEGISLATURE COMES TO RELIEF. Thoso in Control of the Various Tracks Renew Assurances That Sport Will Remain Suspended Until Directors Liability Law Is Repealed. New York, July 20. James Butler, president of tlie Kmpire City Racing Association, was indignant when ho heard of the report circulated to the effect that there would ho a race meeting at his track iu the fall, even if the Gittins bill did not become a law in .September. The statement was made by a man named W. 15. Hunter, who professed to speak with authority, but .Mr. Uutler declared that he did not know Hunter and that the report was without warrant. "Empire City will not attempt to race under the present laws. The sates will remain closed until the Legislature or the courts grant some relief." said Mr. Butler with emphasis. "The Yonkcrs track is loyal to the Jockey Club and the other racing associations and will play out the string. The Jockey Club decided a year ago to close the tracks in this stale until the so-called directors liability law should be repealed and every track has lived up to that agreement. Kmpire City would have opened early this month if the Gittins bill had become a law liut under the present conditions we must remain inactive. We intend to obey the law to the letter, which means that we cannot race until we secure some relief." 11. T.. AVilson. president, and Andrew Miller, treasurer of the Saratoga Racing Association, came out stronger than ever yesterday with the statement that there would be no more racing at the Spa unless the directors and oflicials of tracks are relieved from criminal liability for violations of the bookmaking law by unknown- persons. August Belmont, as president of the Westchester Racing Association also stated that this policy would keep Belmont Park closed indefinitely. As chairman of the Jockey Club 1 Mr. Belmont decided last August to cease operations - with" the wlndup at Saratoga. "There will be no racing at Gravescnd or Aqueduct," said Philip J. Dwycr, who controls both of these race cqurses. ""It is impossible to prevent private wagers at a race track or any other place, and for that reason the directors of tbe Brooklyn and Queens County Jockey clubs cannot run the risk of arrest and prosecution for something they cannot stop. Our tracks will stand lirmly with the others iu this matter." An otiiclal of the Coney Island Jockey Club also stated clearly that Sheepshead Bay would never re-. ojmjii unless the present directors law was amended. The Owners of the Jamaica and Brighton tracks are iu line with similar resolutions, so that further reports of a resumption of racing without favorable legislation will carry no weight. The Jockey Club stands for legitimate racing and will not attempt to evade the law.
