For Repeal of Mutuels: Kentucky House Passes a Bill to That Effect, Daily Racing Form, 1924-02-14

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FOR REPEAL OF MUTUELS Kentucky House Passes a Bill to That Effect. treasure In All Probability Will Meet Its Death in Senate, Where Real Test Will Be Made. LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 13. The Kentucky house of representatives today passed a bill repealing the pari-mutuel betting law by a vote of 56 to 38. The bill passed today has been the football of politicians since the legislature convened in January. Its passage was the refusal of a "slick trick" played by a coterie of lobbyists opposed to Governor Fields administration. The bill as originally introduced was so covered up in its title that the speaker of the house, a friend of the racing interests, not knowing the subject matter hurriedly referred it to a hostile committee. This committee reported the bill out favorably and after long delay finally got it to a vote. Before the measure reached the voting stage opponents of the bill attempted to recommit it, but lacked five votes of having enough strength to send it back to another committee. While opponents of racing have little hope of the measure becoming a law at this session they are highly jubilant that first blood has been drawn against the sport of racing. It is said that the senate, to which the bill now goes, is favorable to racing, as it is at present conducted in Kentucky. How strong the ooposition will force its advantage at this session of the legislature is merely a question. Many interests are entwined and many angles are presented which will not warrant a prediction at this time. It is said that Governor Fields, who was elected on a platform guaranteeing the safety of racing in the state, will veto the bill should it pass both houses. This, however, does not come from the Governor himself. After news of the action of the Kentucky house of representatives in pasing a bill repealing the pari-mutuel law reached Chicago it was learned, from a reliable source, that there was only a remote chance, if any, of the senate approving this measure. It was stated that at least twenty-nine members of the thirty-eight in the senate have expressed themselves as against the passing of any anti-mutuel or anti-racing measures.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1920s/drf1924021401/drf1924021401_1_8
Local Identifier: drf1924021401_1_8
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800