view raw text
Here and There on the Turf Chicagos Racing Situation SituationHawthornes Hawthornes Meeting All That Is in Sight SightDiverging Diverging Alms of Two Or ¬ ganizations ganizationsPlea Plea for Unity in Action While there are too many interests pulling in diverse directions in the attempted and pro ¬ spective restoration of Chicago racing there is one fact that stands out for all to see That is that the Illinois Jockey Club is in possession of a race track has announced a spring meet ¬ ing to begin May 26 at Hawthorne and bar ¬ ring unforeseen circumstances will furnish Chi ¬ cago with twentyfive days of racing from and after that date From the announcement made that the New Orleans and Tijuana horses are largely relied upon for Hawthorne it seems useless to hope for the highclass racing there that such a great city as Chicago is en ¬ titled to But last year Chicago patrons showed willingness to put up with what they could get in the hope that in the long run their patience would be rewarded with the pleasant spectacle of the stars of horsedom clashing over an uptodate Chicago race track In the meantime it remains that Hawthorne racing whatever it may turn out to be is certain to take place And that is about all that is now in sight so far as the good year 1923 is concerned concernedAs As other aspects of the local situation we have two partly formed organizations One composed of gentlemen of wealth and high standing is supporting Mr Bradley Wilson in an effort to secure the passage by the Illinois legislature of an act legalizing the use of the parimutuels on the race tracks of the state If this could or can be brought about it is then their announced intention o have a great race track constructed for racing of the highest class No one could reasonably object to such a program but its being carried out in its entirety is a highly doubtful proposition Its heart is the view the legislature may take of the matter and the man who can forecast with accuracy what a jury or a legislative body will do in a given case is not living Of the desirability of such a law there is no question It would insure immediate prosperity for Illi ¬ nois racing and give the state treasury an ac ¬ ceptable addition to its annual income incomeThe The other organization is that which has been called the New Washington Park Breed ¬ ers Association a name that seems likely to be changed It has an announced finance committee also composed of gentlemen of wealth and high standing in the community It has an option on ground suitable for race track up to modern requirements has plans for track buildings that appear highly pleasing to the eye has that master track builder Billy Myer engaged and on the ground ready to lay out and construct tracks that would be the last word hi respect to speed safety and appointments and is reported to have all necessary financial requirements pro ¬ vided for If all this is true particularly the last item it would seem that this organiza ¬ tion would have all the best of the situation if it went right along in the construction of its tracks and buildings with all possible speed It is quite sure it would win the hearts of all Chicago patrons of racing by such a bold and businesslike manifestation of courage en ¬ terprise and good faith This is the body with which judge Joseph A Murphy has been inti ¬ mately associated Whether it is to go on actively at once or decide to wait awhile will probably be made clear at the dinner to come off in this city on the night of February 16 16Judge Judge Murphy has said in substance that he does not think it advisable to lobby for the enactment of a law of the nature mentioned This is not because he is opposed to its enact ¬ ment if it could be brought about without stirring up contention and trouble But he does not think it can so be brought about and that the Hawthorne experiment of last year blazed a pathway that meets requirements and can be followed peacefully and successfully successfullyIt It really seems deplorable that the good men and true who ostensibly have the same end in view should thus be striving for the attain ¬ ment of that end in semihostile ways Far better it would be if they were working in unison and heary good will In union there is strength is a truism but its force is not to be denied Its application here would be followed by accomplishments that are now delayed by lack of unanimity in course of action There is no good and sufficient reason for this state of affairs It seems a reasonable display of i common sense would abate this unwelcome
