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j j j j j j j KEEP THE SPORT CLEAN Importance of Strong, Efficient, Vigilant Racing Officials Is Pointed Out. Announcement has been made of the appointment of C. . W. Hay of Kentucky as the third steward at the Fair Grounds, Little is known of Mr. Hay, but it is taken for granted the officers of the Business Mens Racing Association, who appointed him, have ascertained his qualifications have learned he is capable and fearless enough to serve in such an important post. For, no matter what others may believe, in our opinion the position of a steward is just as important to the life and well-being of thoroughbred racing as the heart is to the human body. Racing officials cannot be too efficient ; too tireless; too drastic. Even with the smartest, most energetic and most conscientious men obtainable in charge, racing, because it includes an element of wrong-doers who would prefer making one dishonest dollar to ten honest ones, is a hard sport to keep clean. The honest participants in the sport, who are, fortunately, in an overwhelming majority, need the protection of a vigilant official corps just as much as the public that supports racing needs, and just as much as racing itself needs. Charles Bush, who formerly owned and promoted Fair Grounds racing under the regime of the Louisiana Jockey Club, was a professional man in the business of gambling, but he realized racing could not exist unless taken out of the hands of gamblers, and so, sparing no expense, he placed the best men obtainable in charge of his sport. Captain James Reese, considered the most competent and most fearless racing official in the country, was given the reins and with him the reins meant supreme power. But despite. the presence of this nationally known and respected official, the "slickers" tried sharp practices, and it all resulted in several flagrantly crooked steeplechase races, the running of which prompted Bush to erase the Fair Grounds steeplechase course from the map. and found Judge Reese ruling off many offenders for life. That is history. And it is such unpleasant history of the thoroughbred sport that its regrettable to have to recall it. But stress must be laid upon the importance of the strongest kind of a stewards stand, vested with Unquestioned authority. In fact, Che selection of officials to control racing is the all-important question. Rating must be kept clean, and weak-kneed or incompetent officials cannot keep it that way. Nay, they are more of a detriment than help to the sport. Thats why we hope Mr. Hay is a strong, efficient man; and why we hope Messrs. Joseph A. Murphy and Herman Conkling, both of whom are thoroughly competent, will go the limit in seeing the sport kept clean. New Orleans Times-Picayune.
