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CHICAGO SITUATION ♦ Many Rumors in the Air Regarding Local Conditions. ♦ Illinois Turf Association Appoints License Committee — To Meet Before Aurora Opens. ♦ The arrival of Col. Matt J. Winn in Chicago, was the signal for a number of important racing conferences that may have a far reaching effect on the local situation. Rumors flew fast and furiously, the most persistent of which had to do with the re-organization or re-financing of the Homewood track. None could be found to affirm or deny any of these rumors. There was, however, a meeting yesterday afternoon of the board of directors of the Illinois Turf Association at which a permanent license committee was formed, consist- , ing of the following : Martin Nathanson. j representing Aurora; W. Hay. representing Washington Park ; Joseph A. Murphy, representing Hawthorne; C. Bruce Head, representing Kairmount Park ; Judge Charles F. Price, representing Lincoln Fields, and Charles J. Bidwell. representing Hawthorne. Mr. Bidwell was made secretary of the committee, which is scheduled to meet next Wednesday at Aurora to pass upon jockeys, owners and trainers applications for those Intending to race at the Fox River track. Judge Charles V. Price, who serves as presiding steward at Lincoln Fields, is expected here early next week and he will assist in framing the list of stake races to be decided at the magnificent track at Crete, of which Colonel Winn is the directing manager. It is also expected that stakes for the forthcoming Hawthorne meeting will be announced at the same time. ONLY THREE NECESSARY. Inder the rules of the license committee, any two members of the said committee and the secretary are sufficient to pass upon applications at any of the tracks under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Turf Association. While awaiting further developments in local racing affairs, the followers of the sport here are manifesting much interest in the near approaching Aurora meeting. If the weather man smiles kindly here and at Aurora next Thursday, there is little doubt that extra trains will be necessary to convey all the eager racing devotees to the Fox River Valley track for their first glimpse of the thoroughbred in action since last fall. Kxposition Park is ready for spring racing. The refurbishing of the plant is about finished and everything will be in spic and span condition when the Chicago visitors invade the course next Thursday. A big improvement in the plant at Aurora. vhiii has just been completed, is an expansion in the mutuel payoff department, which has iM-en built out sixty feet behind and covered from a possible rainy day. This expansion will permit sixty-eight sellers and cashiers to work instead of forty-five, as formerly, and will greatly relieve the congestion on busy clays. — A. -»
