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RACING FOLK FLOCKING TO CHARLESTON. Much Local Interest. Manifested in Meeting Scheduled to Open a Week Hence. Charleston, S. C. November 22. With only one week intervening before the opening of the 78 .lavs winter meeting at Palmetto Park, racing folk are nocking here and already comprise a greater number than were here last season. Every train ai d steamer Is adding its quota, and indications are that when the meeting opens on Monday. December 1. the wI.hVLl11 e".il that of nr gathering at a winter track in recent years. Never before has the same interest been manifested locally in the sport and not since tile institution of racing here have the turf people been welcomed as they now are -the co-operation of the townspeople, coupled with the systematic and business-like policy that the lalmetto Park management intends to adhere to. s bound to result in success for the meeting and the betterment Of racing in general Interest in the coming meeting is not confined to Charleston alone, for, according to advices, nearly every leading city m the country will have its delegation of visitors at Palmetto Park at some time during the winter. With the positive assurance that the sport will be under the direct supervision of capable officials appointed by the Jockey Club, it follows that contidence Is strong that the racing will be of the highest order. The officials placed in charge of the siwrt will not be hampered in the slightest by the management and are expected to enforce the rules of racing without fear or favor. The square deal will apply to all. Nothing unsavory will be tolerated and the person deviating from the proper 1 nes will speedily lind himself in trouble Ihose who have assumed the reins of management are not interested in the earnings of any stable and will look uKn all owners alike. Their chief concern is the running of the track on a business basis and the improvement of the sport to benefit the city. .rnnlr t,lc wFek, tuoe wcre in tue neiglilwrhood of 500 horse arrivals. The major portion came from Kentucky and represent a brilliant array of stars that achieved distinction 011 the Kentucky circuit this season, yot a single mishap or case of sickness was reiwrted attending the transfer of this big band df racers, despite the great distance thev traveled and the change of clime from the winter rigors that prevailed at the time of leaving Latonia to the sunl-4 nierlike weather they encountered on arrival Iieruifl All the horses reached here In the pink of coiulitiotfli and as there has not been a let-up in their training they should all he in excellent shape for early rac-ng. The Kentuckians are sanguine that they will hold their own during the coining meeting and ex pect to capture a fair share of the rich stake anil purses. With the Kentucky delegation came a number of star riders, collectively the best in the country, and they are anxiously awaiting opportunitv to compete with their eastern rivals. The 000 or more horses expected from the east will begin trooping in tomorrow, when several big consignments are due from Norfolk. The real advance guard will not get in until Wednesday, wb-ii the urst big ecial from Jamestown is scheduled to arrive. Following closely will come two other specials, the last to reach here lieing due Sundav The large number of horses that will engage in this seaon s racing at Palmetto Park made It imperative to build 2.0 stalls iu addition to the 1.050 previously available at the course. Owners who have not made reservations or indicated their wants to those agents of the association having th stall arrangements in charge will have difficulty in securing accommodations for their charges at" the course and will have to find stall room on the ou-side of the track. Advices from Mortimer Mahonev, who will be In charge of the advance Information bureau, indicate that there will be at least 20 pricemakers here for the opening and this number is likely to be increased as the meeting progresses. Should this be the case the meeting will open with a great swing, with little likelihood of a falling off to any noticeable extent, for the general snpiMisitloii prevails that the tirst weeks will be the trying period of thei whole meeting and that after the holldavs the influx of visitors will be greater than ever. Secretary Nathanson has his work up to the minute and at present is engaged with his corps of assistants in registering the horses as fast as thev arrive. Work on tho badge lists will be started this week and when the big band of eastern owners reach here next Sunday they will lind this feature eliminated from their troubles. Mr. Nathanson will remove his offices to the track proper early next week. E. C. Smith, who will serve as the steward representing the Jockey Club, has sent Word that he will arrive next Wednesday to take up his preliminary duties. He will find few Iwthersome angles on arrival, for early action lias been in conformity with Jockey Club rules. Stewards C. II. Pettingill and W. P Burch are due in a few days. Both are competent horsemen and are well versed In every angle pertaining to racing. They enjoy popularity among the horsemen and racing following. Joseph McLennan, who will serve as clerk of the scales and placing judge, will mot lie able to get here until Sunday, Ids duties at the Norfolk track preventing his departure from that course until the close of the meeting next Saturday. Starter James Milton, who will officiate at the barrier, Is expected tonight from his home in Lexas, where he has been sojourning since the close of the Laurel meeting, where he started with great success. Other recent arrivals include Oscar Bachman, Henry Cohen. Lee Campbell, Charles Bollinger. Charles R. Elllfon, J. Oscar Holder and Jake Mark-leln. Because of abuses at former meetings growing out of the Issuance of free passes and complimentary badges, the manngement has decided to discontinue this practice and lias issued invitations to numerous persons iu the state of South Carolina to subscribe to membership, which will entitle them to a season badge on payment of 0. The horses that will be raced here by R. T. Wilson are due to arrive Tuesday.
