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A, DEVELOPMENTS AT NEW ORLEANS GIVE RISE TO HOPE OF SETTLEMENT OF RACING CONTROVERSY A, x New Orleans, La., October 24. Christopher J. Fits Gerald, representing H. D. Browns race track interests, called on Mayor Kehrman and members of the Commission Council. No detailed plans for an amelioration of the existing disagreement between the city government and the City Park interests were gone into, according to Commissioner of Public Property K. E. Lafayc. Mr. Fitz Gerald, representing the Brown interests, deplored the present state of affairs, Commissioner Lafayc said, and hoped that some solution of the problem might be readied. The meeting was attended by Mayor Kehrman, Commissioner Lafaye and City Auditor AV. P. Ball. Because Mr. Fitz Gerald deplored the differences between the interests which lie represents and the city authorities and the Rusincss Mens Racing Association, and Ills statement that he hoped some solution of the problem might be reached, it is gathered by those who have been following the situation that the City Park people now are not averse to a settlement along the lines which the city government have from the first proposed, and which are concurred in by the Business Mens Racing Association. Argument to this effect is made feasible by the fact that Browns recent statements have been to the effect that he intended to fight the matter out to the last, but his sending of an emissary to the city hall is looked on as proof of a change of attitude. In the opinion of Mr. Fitz Gerald, an early adjustment of the race track situatiqn would benefit New Orleans, in that it would allow thousands of northern tourist, who desire to come south for the winter, to definitely decide upon their arrangements. Mr. Fitz Gerald was one of the best-known men connected witli racing in New Orleans when the sport was conducted on the open-betting basis, and from 1S94 to 1905 was starter at the Crescent City Jockey Club track. He is now publicity man for the Jockey Club, and says he is in New Orleans to look over the situation, renew old acquaintances and perhaps arrange several duck-shooting expeditions, his favorite pastime during his former residence here. II. 1. Brown has announced that Mr. Fitz Gerald would be steward of the proposed City Park meeting. "Everybody in the north has his eyes on New Orleans," said Mr. Fitz Gerald in an interview "The general hope is expressed that the racing situation iiere will be cleared. When this is done and the true status of racing defined, tourists and long-distance travelers will be able to make their arrangements to come by the thousands, including some of the best people in the country. "There will be a fine class of horses here for the winter racing. Messrs. Billings and Johnson wanted twenty-five stalls reserved. They are owners of the imported yearlings and two-year-olds brought from England last year by Charles T. Patterson, including Omar Khayyam. Mr. Billings owns the trotting horse Uhlan, 1:53; the Harvester, 2:01, and otiier fast ones, and its only a year since lie took up with the thoroughbreds." Joseph A. Murphy, presiding judge of the Business Mens Racing Associations winter meeting, arrived in New Orleans Friday and, determined to waste no time in making plans for the winters racing, met with the directors of the Business Mens Racing Association the same afternoon and discussed the stakes to be run and the general policy for conducting this winters sport. Mr. Murphy was full of thoroughbred news and gossip of owners and horses, but he did not express himself concerning the recent squabble in local racing circles. In the course of an interview Mr. Murphy waxed enthusiastic, and the gist of his remarks was that New Orleans would see a banner race meeting this winter at the historic old Fair Grounds. Following the conference between Manager Mur- phy and the racing association directors, it was announced that the price of admission to the Fair Grounds this season would be the same as last, while the free list will be entirely suspended. Tho same careful scrutiny will be exercised at the gate to prevent the attendance of undesirables. AVith the expected influx of tourists and the limited accommodations, it has been decided to abolish the regular ladies days. Once or twice during the meeting the fair sex will be the guests of the Fair Grounds management, however. Oil these occasions handsome souvenirs will be distributed. According to Manager Murphy, many new horses and horsemen will be seen here this winter. "I already have had applications for stable room for 650 horses, drawn from the best the east and west can produce," said lie. "As there will be many more, I was pleased to hear from Mr. Rennyson that we could use several of the National Fair buildings for stabling. AVe will need every available bit of space. "The eastern contingent will be especially strong, and many of the owners are shaping their strings for the campaign. The latest acquisition to winter racing will be horses from the Harry Payne AVhit-ney and Mrs. Payne AVhitney strings that will come in the stable of J. O. Talbott. Mrs. AVhitney was Miss Helen Hay before her marriage. She is a daughter of tho former secretary of state. Gainer, Borrow and other good horses will go to make one of the most pretentious strings of the winter. "Captain AV. F. Presgrave will bring the Clyde Stable here himself this winter, and it will be stabled in the old Morris barn. In the band arc Dam-roscli. Uncle Bryn and other stake winners of the year. In the Clyde string will come some of the horses of Lieutenant J. K. L. Ross of Montreal. Mr. Ross is one of the wealthiest men in Canada. His contributions to the war have already reached the sum of ,500,000, including a ship to patrol the harbor at Quebec. As lieutenant of this ship, Mr. Ross gets his commission. His wife is also an enthusiastic horsewoman and is planning to establish a stock farm in Quebec. "Thomas Healey will send some of the R. T. AAil-son horses, probalily in charge of Al AVcston. "Ed Trotter will bring here the R. L. Baker string. Mr. Baker has selected a dozen of his best, including Iif Jr. With Mr. Trotter will come Frank Robinson, the leading jockey of the year. Robinson bears an unblemished name and is accepted by horsemen as one of the greatest riders of recent years in this country. Gifford Cochran will send a string in Frank Midgelys care. The two-year-olds that were developed in this string here last winter were frequent winners along the circuit. "John AV. Schorr will havs his old barn back of the stand. He will bring everything lie has. AVill Perkins, John O. AVhitlow, J. H. Baker, G. T. AVorthington, AVill AVoodward, Jefferson Livingston, T. P. Hayes, Al Kirby, J. B. Respess, Jake Mark-lein, Dr. J. S. Tyree, P. M. Civill, E. R. Bradley and others will ship early. "The Texas contingent, headed by Hart Newman and the peerless Pan Zareta, will lie a strong one. Among those coming are: J. AV. Fuller, banker and breeder, of Willis Point; George AV. Scott, from Abilene; Charles Hodges and Dan Freeman, from Dallas, and George L. Blackford, president of the First National Bank of Denison. "Tho Canadian contingent will b here in force again. Captain AV. J. Press will be back. He has in AVaukeag the best two-year-old shown in Canada this year. .1. E. Lumsdens string from Ottawa will be here, in Jack Richardsons hands. In the stable are Between Us, Candle and other useful horses. A newcomer is James Barry of Montreal. In his string are Thornhill, AVise Man and other good ones. Charles AA Clark, Montana copper magnate, will be here in person with his stable. He has John Lowe in the east now with a commission to buy whatever takes his fancy."
