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CLAIM OPTION EXERCISED Judge Murphy and Associates Assert That First Payment on Jefferson Park Deal Made. With rival interests claiming control of the Jefferson Park track at New Orleans, a court fight to determine the legal ownership now appears probable. In fact, according to Charles Essig, associated with Joseph A. Murphy, Attorney Albert Sabath left Wednesday evening for New Orleans to seek a court injunction restraining the New Orleans faction, comprising Messrs. R. S. Eddy, Jr., James Lemarie, R. Maestri and R. A. Leigh from taking control of the Jefferson Park track. According to Judge Murphys representatives here James F. OHara and Gad D. Bryan, Jr., original builders of the track, had granted an option for the controlling interest to Joseph A. Murphy, trustee of the National Racing Association, composed of Chicago and New Orleans business men. Reports from New Orleans last week stated that this option had been exercised. This was confirmed yesterday by Charles T. Essig, Chicago representative of Murphys organization, who stated that the deal had been closed by payment of 0,000 to OHara and Bryan in Baltimore on October 10. Later reports from New Orleans were to the effect that the Murphy option, expiring October 10, had been allowed to lapse, an that four New Orleans citizens, headed by R. S. Eddy, Jr., had purchased the track upon an option held by G. R. Bryson. It was said here yesterday that the Murphy option was exercised on the specified date, since depositions have been made by the Greenbaum Sons Bank and Trust Company and by the Postal Telegraph Company that 0,000 was delivered to the OHara and Bryan representatives through the Western National Bank of Baltimore before the option expired. Mr. Essig stated last night that a further payment of 0,000 would be made October 20 and the balance November 20, thus completing the contract as provided in the Murphy option. It was further stated that Judge Murphy had wired from Dallas, Texas, his resignation as presiding steward at Bowie track in Maryland, as well as all the other tracks ControUed by OHara and Bryan interests.
