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THAT UNSEEMLY NEW ORLEANS CASE. En route from New Orleans to New York, H. D. Brown passed through Chicago, Thursday, and had time enough to present his side of the New Orleans controversy over racing dates. He said he had no desire to promote trouble there, but having acquired a good racing property felt his track had as much right to a share of the winter racing time as had the Fair Grounds people. He said that the men from whom he taught the City Park property had already made definite arrangements to conduct racing either on the basis of division of dates with the Business Mens Association, or, if need be. in simultaneous opposition, so that in that respect his advent as owner of City Park made no change in the real situation. He showed documents to prove that he had offered to sell the plant to the Business Mens Association and that negotiations had reached such a point that he thought his proposal was accepted, but, on going to New Orleans to close the deal, found it to be rejected. Thereupon he determined to go ahead with his plans for racing. As matters stand it is an ugly-appearing situation at New Orleans, but the solution of the tangle will probably come through Mayor Martin Bchr-muu. He is a strong man and his influence is great almost autocratic. Under date of September 1:1, he sent the following telegram from New York to Editor ODonuell of the New Orleans American: "The idea of bringing racing back into favor in New Orleuns was not to benefit any individual or organization, but the city at large. Have within the past few days read statements emanating from the rival camps, stating what each intended doing. The civic authorities, upon whom the responsibility rests, will decide at the proper time what is best for the community. I am a firm believer in racing conducted along legitimate, lines and I shall not permit anything detrimental to the sport or to the reputation which New Orleans enjoys for fairness. I shall be home early nest week when the entire matter will be gone into thoroughly. During my stay here I visited Belmont Park and was astonished at the quality and character of the attendance on the sport as conducted under the Jockey Clubs auspices. The entire country would be tanefitted by such racing and management as I saw there." Martin Bchrman. In line with this, he told Brown here in Chicago Thursday, being here on his way to New Orleans, that he would not tolerate a racing war at New Orleans. He said the rival interests must get Together and comnose their differences. He further said no racing would be permitted before Thanksgiving dav, and none after the beginning of Lent. If the warring factions did not come to an agrce- mcnt he would take measures that would enforce peace. It enn bo inferred at this, distance that the- probable outcome will bo a division of dates. But nothing definite will be known until Mayor Bchrman takes action. Whether they wish to or not, the clashing factions will probably submit quietly to his dictum.
