view raw text
OPPOSITION HAS VANISHED AGITATION AGAINST PROPOSED RACE MEETING AT NEW ORLEANS CEASES. Governor Hall Issues Formal Statement Setting Forth His Position Directors Go On Record on Subject of Bookmaking. New Orleans, La.7 November 30. The New Orleans Inaugural Handicap will be the first race of the Business Mens Racing Association, starting January 1. 1015. The purse will be 400, and the distance five and a half furlongs. There will be live other races, from half a mile to one mile aud an eighth, with purses of 00 and 00. Agitation against the races has died out. No ministers preached sermons against the proposed meeting yesterday. Nearly 1,000 persons journeyed out to tiie Fair Grounds race track yesterday afternoon to look over the plant, inspect the horses and track. Governor Hall has made the following formal statement in reply to newspaper articles calculated to put him in the light of opposing the race meeting: "I have made no statement for publication or intended for publication with reference to the proposed race meeting in New Orleans, or for use public or private, in connection with this matter. The races can be conducted within the Locke law aud I have thus far no reason to believe that then; is any intention or disposition on the part of those connected with the enterprise to countenance or tolerate violations of the law. The names of some of those identified with the enterprise in one way or another seem to bo a sufficient guarantee that the races will be conducted within the law. This statement I have made to all who have spoken to me on the subject. My attitude toward violations of the Locke law, as well as other laws, is no secret. It is too well known to require public statement." The influences behind J. V. Knight in his attempt to stir up trouble for the meeting remain clothed in mystery, because of conflicting statements he made. He stated Thursday night that he was publicity agent of the Havana track. This he denied Saturday, but admitted that there were some people behind him, to whose interest it would be to prevent the holding of a race meeting "in New Orleans. He told others that he had a personal account to settle with Joseph A. Murphy. The attitude of the promoters of the meeting has been made clear by a resolution adopted at the organization meeting and now. reiterated. An extract from the minutes shows the resolution as follows: "On motion of Director Michaelis, seconded bv Director Dillon, it was resolved that this Board of Directors of the Business Mens Racing Association, Inc., will not at any time sanction bookmaking or any violation of the Locke law during the race meetings at the Fair Grounds race track. Carried." "I think that explains the matter fully," said T. C. Campbell, one of the directors.- "There has beeu no change in the policy of this association since the atove resolution was adopted, and none is contemplated. The organizers of this project are all business men. and as such cannot afford to be mixed up in any race gambling project. They are building their efforts to re-establish racing here on a clean and high-class plane, with the idea that bv so doing they will improve business conditions in this city by bringing here many visitors who would not come otherwise." Additional evidence that the officials and directors of the local racing association are doing ail in their power to make local conditions known to racing men in general was brought to the city yesterday by P. M. Civill, veteran horseman, who has raced thoroughbreds on practically every track in the country for the past twenty-five vears. Mr Civill, upon his arrival here, stated that Judge Murphy, manager and presiding judge of the New-Orleans association, notified horsemen at Latonia and other northern and eastern tracks, that book-making and all other violations of the Locke law will positively not be tolerated. "I was at Latonia when Judge Murphy was there," said Mr. Civill. "and I listened to his conversation on several occasions. At no time did he fay that bookmakers might come here aud be free from molestation. On the contrary, he warned them away and said the meeting would be conducted strictly within the law. It would lie mainlv for the purpose of attracting visitors of the more wealthy class and thereby serve as a boost for all lines of business." Mr. Civill went out to the Fair Grounds and selected stalls for his string, which arrived by express from Lexington, Ky. In the same car were some horses owned by J. Brennan of Paris, Kv. Mr. Civills horses are Robert Kay, Thesieres, Garneau, Love Hay. Mockery, Ravenal, Investment, and two unnamed two-year-olds. Brennans include Anna Kruter and Miss Kruter. Civill was delighted with the looks of the track, and said racing could be begun tomorrow there if necessary. He will write at once to his friends, confirming previous reports. He said four more cars would be shipped here from Lexington shortly. Six cars, ho added, are due here soon from Latouia. Al Luzaders fifteen, Jake Markleius string and others will compose the shipment. J. ,B. Respess will send a big stable in charge of trainer Al Kirby.
