view raw text
RACING COMMISSION BILL Measure Similar to Kentucky Law for State of Washington. United States Senator Poindexter and Other Prominent Men in Favor of It. SEATTLE, Wash.. January 24. Tlie Washington State Racing Commission, a measure adopted from till! Kentucky State Racing Commission, will be introduced, in the House of Representatives nest week by Representative Robert Grass of King County. If will be a law creating a commission of three men appointed by the governor, who will serve without salary. The commission shall have the power to prescribe the rules, regulations and conditions under which running races shall be conducted in .tills state, and carries a clause of a license fee of X per racing day. which license is designated to be appropriated to the bridges and good roads fund of the state, but this license fee does not apply to any races run at any county fairs or on the grounds of the State Fair Association, where meetings of six day:; or under are held. Neither does the Washington State Racing Commission take sujiervision over any of the fairs of this strte. The bill is formed for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the breeding of thoroughbreds in this state, and to make the industry profitable a limited number of days racing will be permitted. In Kentncty the enactment of the law by the legislature of lJOO creating the commission "was the first step taken by the commonwealth for the protection of the thoroughbred interests of the state and. for the control of race tracks incorporated within its jurisdiction. .ailed States Senator Miles Poindexter has written iiL-aiu in lieiirtj- sympathy with your interest iind efforts for the encouragement of the breeding of thoroughbred horses in Washington. It is a matter of tremendous importance to our country, both for the army, industry, health and wholesome pleasure." ASSOCIATIONS ALREADY PLANNED. Tacoma and Spokane will have associations composed of prominent men, and the King County Association will be headed by Harry Whitney Treat, and will comprise some of the leading men of business and social life of Seattle, who will take an active part in the conduct of the racing should the measure become a law. Seattle will have a mile race course, according to the plans of the men interested. The commission will place thoroughbred stallions rnd brood mares on various farms about the state, and the industry of breeding thoroughbred horses in this state will be started. Seattle would ask the Washington State Racing Commission for a limited number of days racing each year, and every effort made to make the season a success at a set period of the year. At a recent meeting the following resolutions were adopted: "Re it resolved. That the State of Washington is ideal for the purposes of breeding thoroughbred and high-grade horses and that it is an industry that should be promoted, encouraged and fostered in this state; that it lias brought great wealth to Kentucky and various other eastern states as well as England, France and Ireland. "That we heartily indorse the Kentucky State Rnciiig Commission, and its methods to promote and encourage the breeding of thoroughbred horses and its fine control over all racing in that state, which has lr.en recognized throughout America. "That a letter of thanks be forwarded to United States Senator Miles Poindexter for his words: I am in hearty sympathy with your interest and efforts for the encouragement of the breeding of thoroughbred horses. It is a matter of tremendous importance to our country, both for army, industry, health and wholesome pleasure. "That we thoroughly indorse the proposed Washington State Racing Commission of three prominent men of the state and ask the legislature of l.tl! and Governor Ernest Lister to enact the measure into a law."
