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NEW WASHINGTON PAREr TRACK Ambitious Plans Under Way to Give Chicago Most Commodious Derby Course in the World Judge Murphy Holds Option on 280 Acres of Land at Riverdale, Fifteen Miles From the Loop Propose to Build Mile and a Half Track With Mile Course Inside of It I AK f - il -J ENTaANCB - F v t";6 i 4,6 th . -, - . ., st. : Chicago is to have about the most commodious Derby course in the world and the American Derby will be run there on the third Saturday of June in each year at a mile and a half for an added value of 00,000, if the plans now under way mature. Joseph A. Murphy yesterday announced that he had taken until June 1 an option from Brannigar Brothers on 280 acres of land on the main line of the Illinois Central railroad at RiverdalQ, fifteen miles from the loop. It is proposed to organize a company, capitalized at ,500,000, to purchase the property and make it one of the show places of the world. A track of a mile and a half, the Derby distance, will be built with a mile track inside it, using the same homestretch. A Derby of once around the track will give the race an Epsom Derby similarity. The property has access to city lights, water, telephone and all other city accommodations. It is reached by concrete roads from the city and from the great state highways and by unequaled train service by the main lines of the Illinois Central, the C. and E. I., P. C. C. and St. L., B. and O. and Pennsylvania and Indiana Harbor belt, all of which practically touch the property, and the Chicago surface lines, which come within three blocks of it. A concrete grandstand, concrete stables each of different architecture, football, polo, golf and tennis fields and a clubhouse kept open the year round are among the plans. The corporation will be distinct from the Illinois Jockey Club, although executive officers of the Illinois Jockey Club will also have executive positions. It is proposed to make the corporation state wide, giving the public full opportunity to participate, the organization being in no manner proprietary. A finance committee of prominent men is being organized and the movement will be under way within the next few weeks. Outside capital will not be solicited and it is intended to make the corporation a Chicago and Illinois institution as near as possible. Hawthorne will be used for short spring and fall meetings. The new park will be christened New Washington Park and will be used to race as the old institution did, twenty-five days from the third Saturday in June. Epitomized especial features in the new proposal are : On the main line of the Illinois Central; situated directly south, seventeen miles from Randolph Street station; express and local service, thirty trains daily; monthly tickets, individual, .27 for sixty rides; nonstop express to Riverdale, twenty minutes ; Lincoln and Dixie Highways within a half mile of the entrance ; Halsted and Indiana streets, both concrete, direct to Riverdale; Chicago rates on light, water and power; junction belt line; south boundary of land connecting with all roads the Illinois Central, the Pennsylvania, C. and E. I., B. and O., P. C. C. and St. L. and Indiana Harbor; street cars within a block of the grounds. Eighteen-hole golf course, exclusive of the 280 acres, there being accessible a tract of land adjoining that is ideal for the purpose; football field with a seating capacity of 100,000; clay roque courts; tennis courts, both grass and clay; athletic field with one-quarter mile cinder track, 100-yard and 220-yard straightaway cinder paths, measured course of one-quarter mile, swimming, official diving platform. The material used in construction of the buildings will be reinforced concrete and steel and they will be built with the idea in view of taking care of county fairs, poultry, stock and horse shows. Space under the grandstand and the paddock will be designed to meet the requirements. The clubhouse will be up to date, with an immense double deck seating porch to accommodate several thousand club members on "Derby Day." The lawn will be sloping, so all can get a plain view of the track stretch. In constructing the clubhouse ample space will be allotted for rooms for members who desire to summer on the grounds and take advantage of their opportunities.
