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MANY EXPLANATIONS GIVEN * How Conflicting Racing Bills Got Through Maryland Legislature. « Turf Interests Saw Only a Bill to Repeal the Local Anti-Betting Law. ♦ Bowie. Mil.. April "11. — Though a iiunilier of explanations are advanced as to how the auti-lx-tting bill got through the Maryland Legislature without the racing interests detecting its true meaning, the one generally credited is that turf interests relied ii|ioii the assertions of the man who introduced the measure. He is said to have represented it as a bill to repeal a local anti-betting law for Prince Georges and Montgomery tounties, which permitted all forms of wagering except on horse racing, and limited the latter to fifteen days each year. There is a state anti-gambling law which permits betting on horse races, but limits racing in any one county to thirty days each year. Bowie has been operating under this state law, but there has always lieeu some question as to whether it repealed the Prince Georges County law. As the bill creating a racing commission for the county provided for forty days* racing each year, friends of the sport naturally "wanted all doubt removed regarding the effectiveness of the local law. On the representation that the new measure relating to Prince Georges County repealed the old law, they voted for it. The same man who was responsible for this measure, is also accused of having slipped the clause into the racing commission bill which exempted Bowie from paying a daily lieeuse fee of S750. This was done by a clanse saying that regu-1-irly incorporated agricultural association* should not be required to pay the prescribed license fee. Bowie is operated by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Association, and it was generally understood the bill could not be passed without the license feature applying to that track. DISAGREEABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS. Racing at Prince Georges Park Wednesday was under conditions about as disagreeable as could lie imagined. Rain fell intermittently throughout the afternoon, and. with the temperature hovering clone to the freezing point, it was anything but a day for outdoor sport. In the face of such conditions it was surprising to see a crowd of goodly proportions on hand when the bugle called the horses to the post iu the opening race. The races were run over a heavy track and proved quite interesting, the finishes in all out the first and last being of the hard-fought, driving kind. The closest and most stubbornly fought contest of the day came with the running of the fifth, in which Napoleon had to be driven to the limit to withstand Progressives whirlwind closing rush. Another close finish was in the third. Cobalt Las-wearing Sweep Up II. down in the final strides of a long stretch drive. Ainaekassins effort in this race was a good one for his first out this year and the race should improve him. Indian Chant was at home in the going in the opening nice and led throughout to win in a canter. Dr. Charcot furnished a surprise in the second when he overhauled Comacho ou the far turn and easily-held him safe in the drive home. James Arthurs Margery proved best iu the fourth under a perfect ride by Rodriguez. The latter Was also astride Baby Sister, winner of the sixth race. Jockeys D. Stirling and H. Erickson shared the, riding honors of the day with Rodriguez, each piloting two winners.
