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GRANDSTAND ENCLOSURE Sudden Weather Change Emphasizes Need of Such Protection. Busy Scenes at Fair C rounds Many Improvements Being Unshed lo Completion. NEW ORLEANS, La.. Dec. 22. The sudden cold weather caught everyone unprepared. The change-from summer heat to frigid cold was startling, the transformation coming within a period of six hours. The attendance took a drop as a result Saturday, but there is a promise of a return to good weather and the remainder of the racing season at Jefferson Park should be the best of the meeting. The outstanding feature at Jefferson Park will be the Christmas Handicap of ,500 value, bringing together racers of all ages at a mile and a sixteenth. It drew twenty-eight nominations, comprising the best in these parts, with the exception of Chilhowee. It should furnish an interesting contest for the large holiday throngs that will be on hand. Over at the Fair Grounds everything is bustle and the numerous improvements are being rushed as fast as an army of workmen can bring about their consummation. The heating plant is already installed and the enclosing of the grandstand is nearly completed. "The sudden change to severe cold illustrates the necessity for enclosing the grandstand to protect your patrons," said Mr. I Bradley, who arrived while the weather was summer-like and experienced the sudden I change. When the enclosure is finished and the steam heat is available the Fair Grounds plant will be the most adaptable for winter racing in the world. The "housing in" process can be accomplished in five minutes and the grandstand can be "opened up" again in less time. There is still considerable to be done at the Fair Grounds to bring it to the desired standard, but the contractors are under bond to have it in complete readiness by December 30. Many of the better class horses, including Chilhowee and Donaghee, started training in earnest for their campaign at the Fair Grounds. Both these crack racers are taking their gallops in a manner that suggests they will be ready early. If good weather continues, their training will be advanced considerably this week. Chilhowee has taken on at least 100 pounds since his arrival. Ho is taking his training in willing style and is showing no heel troubles. All of the officials who will serve at the Fair Grounds are exnected to be here this week and many preliminary duties will be taken up. During the meeting there will be a session of the stewards each morning. At these sessions the other officials will be invited to make any suggestion in respect to the conduct of the races. . On all questions a majority vote of the stewards will prevail but Continued on twelfth pane. GRANDSTAND ENCLOSURE Continued from first prise. each steward will have opportunity to register his vote on licenses and rulings of all character and a written report of the proceedings will be made part of the secret archives of the association. It has been suggested to starter Hamilton that instead of making direct rulings that he recommend fines or suspensions on riders tho stewards and that action be taken by them. It has also been suggested that when a horse has been placed on the schooling list, it must be schooled at least once in the presence of one of the stewards who will note its condition and make a written report to the board. This steward will note the condition of the horse when it goes to the post and if the appearance would indicate that its actions at the post are caused other than by natural excitement of the race its entry will be permanently refused. It is believed that this system will relieve the starter of considerable worry and annoyance and divide his responsibility with the board of stewards. The starter comes under the supervision of the stewards but he has power to the extent of fines on jockeys in the amount of 00, or a suspension not longer than the current meeting. The stewards depend considerably on the starter to report to them rough riding on the part of any jockeys leaving the post. Usually such reports are immediately followed "by suspensions of the offending jockeys. Malcolm N. MacFarlan, who has officiated at various tracks in the capacity of racing secretary and steward, has been engaged to serve as assistant to racing secretary Joseph McLennan at the Fair Grounds. t i J - - 1 " n e to o n S e II t
