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, , [ . . [ , PROSPERITY NEAR FOR BLUE BONNETS. i Costly Improvements About Paid for and Dividends Now in Sight. [ By Ed Cole. ] New Y..rk. February 2:5.— James Carruthers. one I of the directors of the Blue Bonnets track mar . Montreal, was a recent visitor here. He not only lak.s a prominent parr in the affairs of the Men- : lioa! track, hut m years gone by was a partner of • the hit.- Alex Shields ill several good race horses, j the- best of which was Advance Guard, one of the J greatest long-distance stars in turf history. Mr. Carruthers is much interested in turf affairs in ; Canada and one of racings stanchest supporters. This fact is substantiated when he remarked luring a general conversation: •Blue Bonnets has not yet paid any dividends, but some day it will do so when it is entirely free fr..m debt and has developed into an institution of magnitude and beauty, which it is gradually doing. We began with practically nothing, and now we have a beautiful race course, with plenty of land to make- improvements and opportunities to hold high-clans racing and bring out some of tiie BSOSt fashionable gatherings in Canada." The ideas of Mr. Carruthers and his associates are condensed into these few words, aud those who know the Blue Bonnets course can readily see the wisdom of the management. Stockholders in the concern have probably often wondered why dividends have not been declared, having seen and read of the successful meetings already held. Mr. Carruthers admits the racing has been successful, but states it took quite some financiering to carry out the ideas of the directors, to say nothing of bits of ill luck which arose occasionally. Fire destroyed the grandstand, which had to l e rebuilt; ihen there was land to be purchased, additional stables to be built, ami the installation of the parl-matuel machines, which was costly. More of these are lo be added lo the present equipment before the coming spring meeting is held. •All these improvements have cost money, aud plenty of it," said Mr. Carruthers. "Now 1 suppose the war will effect the attendance somewhat, but we hope pretty soon to give the stockholders some return on l he investment. We began modestly aud with what could be termed a limited bank account, but it will not 1m- long before we branch out with stakes the equal of any track in Canada and attractions which will bring the best horses in the Dominion and the United States together. The directorate is thinking of nothing but the welfare of the turf and an institution that will surpass anything of its kind in Hie country. When these ideas are consummated the work of the management will he complete, and I think a monument will have been erected in Montreal which will be appreciated by all concerned in the welfare of the turf and the thoroughbred. While the thoroughbred is now being decried by a few as of minor importance, it will eventually be recognized by all countries as a great asset both in times of peace and war and a type of horse that should be encouraged and fostered by all nations." Those who are keeping close watch on the Maryland legislative action in regard to racing are fairly confident that after all arguments are in that some just understanding will be arrived at which will insure a continuation of the sport under conditions that will be satisfactory to the state and all concerned. That the sport should be rigidly governed by influential and competent persons goes without saying. This is the aim not only of the lawmakers, but also of the stockholders in the various racing associations of the state. That the state or counties should derive some substantial revenue from the racing is conceded. One of the questions to be decided is the best method of taxation. There are pre -edetits which might be followed in the wa. of a percentage on gross receipts or of a dailj tax such as exists in some parts of Canada. Kuropean countries collect a percentage of the receipts from the niutiiels. This could be done in Maryland, though it is improbable that it will be, owing to the antipathy of same of the legislators to deriving revenue from turf speculation.
