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DEVISING WAY TO COLLECT WAR TAX Simplest Method to Accommodate Public the Plan No Trainer Chosen for Butler Stable. New York, December 17. The first inkling of procedure regarding government tax on admission to local race courses was heard at the recent meeting of the executive committee of the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association. At this session the secretary was instructed to take such steps as necessary to obtain legal advise so as to conform to the tax law regarding the associations responsibilities. After this is obtained the association will lay the foundation for collecting the revenue tax and arrange the simplest method to accomodate the public. Whether all associations will follow the Canadian system or not will not be decided until the time approaches for action. In Canada a separate war tax ticket is purchaseable at the gate. Regulars buy them in blocks so as to avoid waiting in line. ; It may be that the war tax will be attached to all purchased badges and that separate tickets will be required for complimentary badges. Whatever method is employed will be arranged to simplify the matter for the convenience of the patrons. At Pimlico the tax was collected and paid on all season badges by the association according to their face value. It is a subject that will be discussed by the general managers of the local associations in the early spring and a uniform system adopted. YANKEES FUTURITY VICTORY. The stallion Yankee coming back to this country, reminds one of his memorable victory in the Futurity in 1901, when lie was ridden by Winnie OConnor. Yankee was the property of John Madden at the time and so confident of his winning was Madden, that when he had given OConnor the leg-up on the colt the latter, turning to Madden said: "You havent given me any instructions how to ride him. How about a whipV" Madden turned to one side and, breaking a small twig from a nearby pine tree, handed it to OConnor saying: "Here you are son, thats all the whip you want on this horses. Just turn him loose at the rise of the barrier and hell be down at the feed box before some of the others are weighed in." Yankee came home all right and OConnor handed the pine twig back to Madden, remarking in his quick witted way: Didnt even need a tooUipick." Yankee will bring back from France a whole family of his weanlings to be raced in this country. Many reports have been circulated concerning the trainer who will fill the vacancy at the head of James Butlers stable. Several have been appointed, according to rumor. In conversation witli Mr. Butler yesterday, lie said that no one had been chosen and that up to the present he had not given the matter serious thought.
