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BETTING AT NEW ORLEANS Expressions From a Number of Recently Elected Officials. t i Much Pother About a Matter Supposed to Have Been Settled by-Supreme Court of Louisiana. BY J. L. DEMPSEY. NEW ORLEANS, La., Decemter 3. The Business Mens Association will open racing January 1 and will operate within the provisions of all laws, according to Walter Gleason, attorney for the association. Beyond this statement Mr. Gleason will make no further comment on the charge made by District Attorney -elect Marr that the Locke law is bring violated at the Jefferson Park track, and that, if the same system is used at the Fair Gronnds, he will prosecute as the district attorney of the Parish of Orleans. When asked if he believed the system used nt the Fair Grounds during the meeting of 1920, . the same system now used at the .Jefferson Park track was a violation of the Locke law, Mr. Gleason replied that he did not care to enter into any premature discussion of the law or betting system. "I have only this statement to make," said Mr. Gleason. "I do not know what system of betting prevails on the Jefferson Parish Fair race track, as I have hot been there during this meeting. I can only say that the Business Mens Racing Association will operate and keep within the provls-lonSiOLaJMajvsi.op jhejtatnte; books. Beyond this T cah say nothingl"" Mayor-elect Andrew J. McShane favors horse racing as long as the people want it if it is conducted legally. Tills was his attitude as expressed when interviewed in reference to the statement bv Judge Robert H. Marr that the system of betting at the Jefferson Park track was, in his opinion, a violation of the law. "I would not care to announce my opinion, . because of two things," replied Mr. McShane. "The first is that I have not read Judge Mnrrs comment and second is that I will have to know the actual conditions first. "When we take into consideration the large attendance at horse races, it is evident that the people want sport. I am for what the people want, whether it happens to agree with my own opinion or not. You may say for me that I am for horse racing as long as the people want It, if it is conducted legally. "You also can say that I am absolutely against hand-books, banked gambling games and lotteries. Betting at race tracks must be conducted legally. "As to whether betting as conducted at the Jefferson Park and the Fair Gronnds tracks U legal, I am not prepared to say because I am not a lawyer." The Mayor-elect was asked his opinion about issuing a permit for the conducting of the meeting at the Fair Grounds track. "I do not know anything about the issuance of such a permit." He replied. "The commission council Is composed of five members and I am only one member. I do not know whether the Business Mens Racing Association will have, to be issued a permit or not. These are matters which will have to be taken up after the new commission council goes Into office. As for the issuance of a permit for racing I would treat that just like the issuance of any otber permits that have been issued by the City. I suppose the best way to find out how many permits are out, is to call them all in then look over the applicant and see if he is fit to receive a permit." The attitude of the city commissioners-elect on racing in New Orleans is generally favorable, only one, WHbert Black, opposes. Conrad A. Buchler, who succeeds Mr. Rivararde as District Attorney of the parishes of Jefferson. St. Charles and St. John, declared on Thursday that he expects to take office Monday. "I propose to do my full duty," said Mr. Buchler, "and I will enforce the law without fear or favor. I have been to the Jefferson race track once -this meeting, but I did not bet nor did I pay any particular attention to the system of betting. "As District Attorney I will not be in a position to be a detective, but "if the Sheriff of Jefferson Parish, makes any arrest for violation of the Locke law I will .prosecute. If any private citizen furnishes me with evidence that the law is being violated at the JeffeYson track I will file informations against and prosecute the guilty persons. I will give the Locke law and the Supreme Courts decision in the Austin case my full attention at ence and make a close study of them." Sheriff .1. B. Dauenhauer on Thursday declared that lie will take no action against the officials of the Jefferson Park track until he confers with Mr. Buchler. 1
