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» 9 GREAT MISTAKE TO STOP RACING August Belmont and Other Prominent Turfmen Deplore Untimely Agitation in Kentucky. New York. June 15. — Interviewing prominent memlK-rs of the Jockey Club and others interested in the welfare of the thoroughbred, regarding Genera] W. B. Haldemans endorsement of the propo-sition to cease racing in Kentucky next autumn, the opinions were unanimous that it would lx- a great mistake and quite untimely. Major August Belmont said: "ilio;- opixjsed to racing and the improvement of the horse are attacking a great institution. MM that is of much more importance than is generally conceded by the layman. The improvement in the breed of horses is necessary to the welfare, not only of this country, but the world. All Kuropoon countries are holding racing events and those in most eases are encouraged bv Hie government, even to provide the funds. We here do not ask for government funds. We give and provide every thing. France has a large fund to improve the breed of horses. There is no such fund here. This agitation in Kentucky is urbst untimely and I think that it is time the iiie:nb.-rs of the remount department should step in and MMMV the necessity of the continuance of racing to preserve itself." B. T. Wilson corrob--rrated Maj. r Belmonts statement, adding that if rating, ec.-.srd in this country, that It would be taking a backward step Which could not be corrected in some years. "It would ix- quite difficult to Mali oyer again on the same basis as we are now." concluded Mr. Wilson. "and I hope the question in Kentucky will lie well and iiitelligenily thought out." Col. M. J. Winn said he knew litlle about the subject excepting what he had read in the papers and could hardly credit such an agitation should arise in Kentucky. "II was an extreme surprise to me. saiil Mr. Winn, "but I hop., it will not interfere with the thoroughbred industry in this country. Baeing is a n.-cessity if we are to improve the breed of horses." Major Tins. Hitchcock of the aviation corps and who knows the value of the horse probably as well as any government officer, was brief as he remarked: "We need the thoroughbred more than ! ever now." said Maj. Hitchcock, "and we need 1 racing to determine the better horse. I sincerely hope this agitation in Kentucky will be checked as s x»n as possible." . A w ■
