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i 1 i i J | j I I | . i I j • i j i . . 5 I . i I j . : » ; ; INDORSE RACING MEASURE American Remount Association Favors Bill Sponsored by Chicago Washington Park Club. The proposed Illinois racing law, sponsored by the Chicago Washington Park Club and which is now being considered by the agricultural committee of the Illinois senate, has received the indorsement of the American Remount Association and the reason for this action has been explained in a letter tinder the signature of its president, copies of which have been forwarded to all members of the Illinois legislature and to the governor. Here is the letter : WASHINGTON, D. C, May 1.— The attention of the American Remount Association has recently been called to a bill, prepared at the suggestion of, and backed by. the Chicago Washington Park Club, that, it is understood, will be presented during the present session of the Illinois state legislature and that, if enacted into law, will legalize horse racing in that state. This association, whose membership comprises the greater portion of the horse breeders and fanciers of the nation, for reasons hereinafter stated more in detail, is thoroughly in favor of racing when properly legalized and conducted in such a manner that the people derive a direct benefit therefrom. This appears to be eminently the case, so far as the proposed racing law under discussion is concerned. A perusal of the pro- poa d legislation indicates that a large proportion of the profits from racing will accrue to the benefit of the stock breeders in Illinois, through the provision of generous percentage allowances to state and county fairs. This naturally will have a direct, important and stimulating effect in the production of pure bred live stock, whether the same be food animals or draft or riding horses. Properly conducted, racing in its relation to the production of good riding horses, with which the American Remount Association is immediately concerned, has, however, another important aspect, and that is its bearing on the national defense with reference to the production of a war reserve of horses. The development of the thoroughbred has proved that only by some test of speed and stamina are suitable sires for riding and cavarly horses made. Thus racing, by a process of elimination, establishes the best possible strain of blood for siring riding horses of a type suitable not only for general utility use but suitable also for use of the army. The encouragement of breeding of a proper type of riding horse is of paramount importance to the army and the nation, as a whole. Experience during the world war demonstrated the fact that there was a great scarcity of such horses, which rendered the stimulation of the breeding thereof an imperative necessity. While probably not a matter of general knowledge, it can be stated that the number of animals used in modern wars is practically the same as that used in past wars. In the world war, the proportion of animals was one to four men, and in the Civil war the proportion of animals was one to three and three-quarters men. Riding horses in war are as essential as ever, and in order that the nation, should another emergency arise, may not again be confronted with a great scarcity of riding horses, the American Remount Association, in co-operation with other interested associations, has given all possible aid to the breeding of thoroughbred horses, which, as stated above, are the foundation of good riding horses. Racing has made the thoroughbred horse, and it is essential to his perpetuity and improvement. Therefore, every reasonable effort should be exerted to encourage racing and breeding of such horses. That this is also the opinion of the War Department itself is plainly evidenced by the following quotation from a letter addressed by the secretary of war, the Honorable John W. Weeks, under date of January 23, 1122, to the Honorable White L. Moss, ehair- man judiciary committee, state senate, Frankfort. Ky., in which, inter alia, he stated that "A study of the breeding in all nations I shows that the thoroughbred horse is re-j garded as one of the best sires in existence for cavalry and general utility work, and that they do more work, stand more hard-l ship, heat and cold, and show more courage and endurance than any type of poorly bred animal. Most nations fully realize this fact, and, therefore, encourage and support racing ; in order to produce more and better thoroughbreds ; France even going so far as to , keep up its racing behind closed gates during the world war, so that its thoroughbred i stock would net depreciate." For the reasons herein briefly outlined, the American Remount Association expresses the bops that bill to legalize racing in Illinois may secure from you the encourage- ment and support that its merits and im-.. portance deserve. Very truly yours. AMERICAN REMOUNT ASSOCIATION I By: R. H. WILLIAMS, JR. • President A. A. CEDERWALD • Secretary ».
