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CO OPERATION IS NECESSARY f Major Belmont Says Prosperous , Season Is Ahead of Us. Horsemen, Patrons and Promoters . Should Pull Together Without Dissension. NEW YORK, N. Y., March 5. When racing folk get to Belmont Park next spring they will not see I many changes in the surroundings, but not so with horsemen. The latter part of the assemblage will 1 find something different from what they have been ? used to heretofore. In the first place the track proper lias been thoroughly reconstructed and 1 drained, having been remodeled after the Saratoga plant. In the past the going at Belmont Park J caused many objections from trainers, who claimed that it was of such nature that many horses broke I - doivn while in preparation for racing as well as in i contests. Another objection was the presence of many small pebbles and stones, which were not I .conducive to consistency in horses through their being struck with the flying missiles when in a rear r I josition. All these things have been remedied during, the past winter. A new top dressing lias been ; 1 put on the track and all the old material taken out. Practically a new track has been built. The rebuilding " of the grandstand, whicli was burned down some" three years ago, has not yet commenced, owing to tlic high price of labor and construction material. In conversation on tin; subject with Major August Belmont, he said: "Another year may bring about many changes in the labor and 1 material question and then we shall rebuild. We can manage well with what is left of the present structure. It. must not be forgotten that the Westchester Association is struggling for existence nnd ; 1 , hardljA. making enoushMesandto, nayour, -daily, bills nndtaxes; A-considerable sum has been expended I this winter in reconstructing the track proper, which was of. more importance at this time than ; 1 decorations. Objections have been made by some trainers to running their horses the reverse way of the track, as they term it. The subject has been ; given much serious thought, but there seems to be ! no way to bring about u change from the existing ; conditions. There are two important reasons. The ; : first is the fact that the railroad terminal could j i not be changed, and the second the Turf and Field Club cannot be disturbed. This is a definite de-eision and I hope there will be no further unfavorable comment on that subject. Much of it has been ; unnecessary and uncalled for and I hope this is the ! last we shall hear of it. We are doing all we can , for horsemen and patrons of racing and will con- tinue to do so. You know it is an old saying that i it is impossible to please everybody, and this an- ! plies . to racing frequently. There is every reason to believe the sport of racing has grown in popularity and the breeding of desirable horses more ad- , Yisuble. ! "The governments of the world have been more j convinced than ever by the wars record that good horses had a decided effect upon the result. Such , horses come from scientific breeding. We should i all lend a willing hand to have the best. This can only come about through unison of feeling regarding the welfare and promotion of the sport. Horsemen, patrons and promoters should pull together without . j dissension. Newspaper critics should also assist by carefully weighing all subjects before publication, i One disgruntled speculator can sometimes sway the , good judgment of a critic. A bright and prosperous ; season is ahead of us and it looks as if the foundation for perpetual life of the sport Is laid. All i that is needed is the co-operation of everyone con- . ccrncd."
