J. Walters Popular Commissioner: Fairness and Accomodating His Watchwords-Was Protege of Late W. C. Whitney, Daily Racing Form, 1917-12-29

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J. WALTERS POPULAR COMMISSIONER Fairness and Accomodating His Watchwords Was Protege of Late W. C. Whitnay. New York, December 28. John Walters sent out a rather unique Christmas card to his friends wishing them 305 days good luck in 1918. In commenting upon it. Edgar Murphy said: "The only thing lie forgot was to add. "but dont unload all your good luck onto me or Ill be in bad luck. If all of Johnnies friends were in good luck for a year, I am afraid he would have nothing left but his family." This brings to mind a bit of history in connection with Walters and how he arose to his present standing on the turf. He was a little bit of a good looking boy when he became a messenger on the local stands. Accommodating was his watchword. He was universally liked. When the late AV. Whitney became interested in the sport, lie selected John Walters as his commissioner. That was the real beginning of Walters success. His honesty anil integrity appealed to Mr. AVhitney and this, coupled with his own knowledge of horses, enabled him to gather together a snug sum of money sufficient for 1 im to start operations in tiie club house 011 a small scale. His business grew fast and soon lie was handling large commissions for nearly all the fashionable stables. Invariably the commissions were left to be placed according to his own 2eod judgment. The late Phil Dwyer used to say "Leave it to Johnny and youll get all that is coming and probably more than you expect." Many of his customers carry weekly and monthly accounts and frequently commissions aggregate greater winnings than his employer anticipates. Often times layers of odds quote better prices than AAalters, but that is no inducement to men who know AValters to turn about and change their faith. They know that whatever is the market price they will get it. It is his fairness, politeness and amiability that has gathered around him a clientele that cannot be tempted away by the most alluring persuasion.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1917122901/drf1917122901_1_10
Local Identifier: drf1917122901_1_10
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800