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INFLUENCE OF SPORT ON BUSINESS. Railroad and Hotel Men Point Out the Difference With and Without Racing. New York. January 11. — Passenger Agent Thweatt, of the Southern Railroad, says that t hi records of tickets sold at his office in New York to New Orleans has increased from sixty to seventy-five per cent since the revival of racing at that point. "That does not show the wonderful travel to New Orleans from other points." he said. "It is a remarkable increase, and unquestionably due to rae bur. The crowds were pretty hard to handle at nines, especially during the last two weeks of December. We have also many reservations made fo: January and the first part of February. The great mystery to me is how all those who have gone then of late can find hotel accomodations. We are also looking forward to heavy travel after New Orleans closes and as racing folks move towards Hot springs." In contrast with this statement by Mr. Thweatt onies the assertion of Charles Consalvo, who has managed the Montioello Hotel in Norfolk. Va.. fo: sense years. He says: "Since racing was stepped in Norfolk I have no hesitancy in saying there has been a decrease in money circulation of 50,000 anr.ually. That is quite an item in a small town like Norfolk. All the hotels and many business houses in the little town looked forward to the profits from the racing folks to energize business throughout the whole year. I look at racing from an economic point of view as well as a pastime and believe that it should be encouraged for patriotic liasons. Of course, we can live in Norfolk without racing, but we would be happier with a spring and autumn meeting every year like we used to have."
