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SECRETARY PEARCE DEFENDS HIS ACTIONS. Louisville, Ky.. June 12. — When asked on Sunday to state his views in regard to the course of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Horse Association in taking action hostile to him, racing secretary Walter 11. Pearce said: "Although Manager John Hachmeister of Douglas Park has been requested to ask me for my resignation as racing secretary for Douglas Park and Latonia. I have as yet to mrilt any official notice that my resignation was desired by the directors of the Breeders Protective Association. No specific charges have been registered against me and I have been denied the opportunity of ascertaining the nason why my i-emoval is desired. "In my official capacity of racing secretary I have at all times endeavored, to the best of my ability, to protect the public- and the interests by which I am employed. In doing this I have made bitter enemies of certain horsemen. If protecting the public and the best interest of racing causes personal enmity, then 1 welcome the enemies I have made. "The office of racing secretary has at all times been conducted openly and in a pnpar and efficient manner by myself, and the special committee appointed by the Breeders Protective Association will find me more than willing to answer any charges th.it they may make in writing, regarding the conduct of my offic*. "It is rather unfair, however, that these gentlemen who desire to purify the turf, should make a demand for my haaaaffahC r-moval without stating their objections. A communication containing names of some seventy-seven horsemen has np-l e:ired in the public prints stating that my resignation was d« sired. "Some of those whose names are on the list are not even racing horses with us, while others have stated that they have not the least objection to my remaining in my present position. Other turfmen have informed me that they have been threatened with trouble in the event that they failed to join certain turfini n in their effort to remove me from office. "if charges in writing are made against me and sustained by any fair-minded liody, i am not the proper person to" hold the important position of rac-iug secretary, but when the true facts become known 1 feel sure that my action in calling off the "Derby Consolation race and other events and the refusal to allow certain horsemen to take any advantages in my office will be approved. "Without desiring to enter into a lengthy discussion of the affair. I feel that I can state without fear of contradiction that personal :inini"sit.v of certain horsemen will be found the only basis for the complaint registered."
