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STARTERS ASSISTANTS TO BE DISCIPLINED. Lexington, Ky.. July 15. Joe S. Hawkins this week reported to officials of the Kentucky Thoroiighbred Horse Association that race horses belonging to him and to other owners had been brutally treated by one of Starter Harry Morrisseys assistants during the spring meetings in this state, particularly at Latouia. and requested assistance in bringing the matter to the attention of the State Racing Commission. Prior to the re-codification of the rules of racing in this state last year, it was a specific violation to strike a horse while at post, but it is not so now. The rule prior to the re-codification read: "With the sanction of the officers of the association, the starter may appoint his assistants; but neither he nor his assistants shall carry a whip, stick, or rod, nor shall they strike a jockey or horse at the post; nor shall they take hold of a horse at tin; post, except to lead it to its position: nor shall the starter or his assistants use abusive language toward a jockey, and for each violation of this rule the judges shall impose a fine of not less than 0 upon fhe starter." The rule now in force on the tracks under the State Racing Commissionssjurisdiction reads: "With the sanction of thestexvards. the starter may appoint his assistants; but neither he nor his assistants shall strike or use nlihujye languuge toward a jockey and for each violation of this rule, tin; stewards shall impose a fine of-uot less" than $." upon the starter." . The matter will be given attention by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Horse Association, since it does not appear reasonable to suppose that the State Racing Commission, in permitting the elemination of the- ban ou tin; use of bull whips by the starters assistants, intended to license those men to cruelly treat horses. In support of his allegations, Hawkins has letters from prominent men who observed the mistreatment of two of his horses Hank ODay anil Chalmers. One of these, a leading Cincinnati attorney, advised that the assistant starter should have been arrested and taken before a civil court on a charge of cruelty to animals. Inless the State Racing Commission elects to reestablish the ban on horse abuse, it is the opinion of Hawkins and other horsemen that it should at least require the stewards of racing, to see to it that the starter employs no brutal assistant.
