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, fc j J t 5 9 0 2 4 0 5 : s 1 - i b l • i l i - , I t i r I t t . I 1 , 1 , , I 1 . » • I j , 1 f I I ! • i a i i , , i , * t I ! ; , - ; , , i ! ! t • I , r J. n . v J „ r a as TIME IS RIPE FOE ACTION SUGGESTION THAT STATES SHOULD BE ASKED TO ENACT FAVORABLE RACING LAWS. Preparedness Movement Brings Up Question of Proper Supply of Army Horses — Eastern Turf- men Discuss the Important Subject. By Ed. Cole. New York, December 29.— "If this cotintrr. or 1 might say the patriots of this country, do not recognize the fact that the thoroughbred is an in- dispensable article both from a view of preparedness a?" -OIj economic reasons after the splendid prices obtained for the foreign-bred horses at the Maekay sale, then there is something wrong with our people." Suc.h, was tne con nient of David Gideon, one of *i tue old school of horsemen and breeders in this coun- try as he turned away from a group of friends at Durland s after the sale. It is safe to say that his sentiments are seconded by everyone concerned in the thoroughbred and its sphere of usefulness in this country. Scores of wealthy men are willing to spend for-s tunes; to make this country the premier of the world in the raising or fine horses. All they need is some encouragement from the governments of their respective states. The foundation is being laid by the importation of hundreds of pure bred horses from Europe which, when mixed with the purest of American blood, cannot help but yield good results. This country has proved beyond question it can raise high-class horses. In vears gone by it has sent such samples of its product to England as Iarole. Wallenstein. Foxhall, Iroquois and others g.l of which gave actual demonstration of the kind of horses that can be turned out of the paddocks of Kentucky and other states. What then can be ex-i pected when the blood of the greatest sires and dams of Europe is intermingled with our liest P. J. Dwyer. one of the greatest figures of the turf today, says: "It is a subject that should be brought to the attention of the federal government in unmistakable terms and should be backed by the influence of prominent men, who. while not interested in the turf, should have sufficient patriotism to take up the subject for economic reasons Breeders of thoroughbreds have had to battle for fifty years against the attacks of the narrow minded persons. I may not live to see it, but the day will come when this country will appreciate the efforts of American breeders to develop the greatest horses in the world. Preparedness seems to he the watch-word with everybody just now. The army and navr are to be increased. I have heard nothing said about the horse, yet an army without horses would be in rataer sorry condition. Statistics prove that the better mounted soldiers have been the victors in nearly all wars. Why not then encourage those who wish to build the better horse? The present war had not been in progress more than a week when there was a cry from all Europe for horses and today practically every neutral country, as well as the belligerent countries have been stripped of all serviceable equine material. These are matters of record that should be put before all legislative bodies as soon as possible. Ways and means should be found to encourage tlwse who are willing to help the cause, instead of having the practicallv selfish or the born crank continuously rolling obstacles in tfieir way. Of course it will be said these views are all in the interests of horse racing. They are also patriotic, for without racing there can be n» improvement in the breed of horses. No one would know which horse would be best to breed to ir there were no contests. Furthermore, there would be no incentive to breed horses and give them the attention necessary unless there was a motive in the way of a contest for a prize and that keen rivalry between one breeder and another which eventually creates a market for a good lwrse. The recent Maekay sale was simply wonderful and positively demonstrated how intent many rich men are to gather the purest and most desirable thoroughbred blood into their establishments." It was at first thought there would not be more than a couple of hundred horses imported here this winter, but 300 is now the estimated number. Almost daily one hears of some one buying a few-foreign-breds and it is seldom a steamer arrives but that it brings a consignment to some one or other. This coming year will be one of great importance in racing for it will give some idea of tlie quality of the thoroughbreds of England and France compared with the American product.
