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ARLINGTON PARK MEETING ♦ Rushing to Completion Improvements Before Opening on July 1. ♦ Post and Paddock Clnb House Outstanding Addition — Xew Color Scheme Brightens Entire Plant. Arlington Park, under the auspices of its new owners, the American National Jockey Club, composed of a large group of the citys foremost financiers, merchants and lawyers, is scheduled to inaugurate in a bower Of blossoms July 1 its meeting of twenty-nine days racing. A recent visit to the immense plant, followed by an inspection of the many improvements undertaken and completed since last fall, tended to confirm the assertion of those who claim that Arlington Park is one of the finest racing plants in the United States. Since acquiring the property, the American National Jockey Club has expended large sums in improving and beautifying the place. Several hundred workmen, including carpenters, painters, decorators and landscape gardeners, are now engaged in putting the finishing touches to a racing plant that will be a veritable Chicago show place, and for completeness and beauty will vie with any similar institution in the country. The construction of the Post and Paddock club house, at a cost of 00,000, is the outstanding improvement. This stately building, situated north of the immense grandstand, but connected with it, is a work of architectural art, and is unusual from the fact that it is the first building in this part of the country of "toy steel construction." The structure is of steel, brick and cement, and the steel studding is used for room division. The building, now completed, will be for the exclusive use of members of the Post and Paddock Club. Another important improvement and one that will be readily apparent to the public is the change of color of the grand stand and other buildings. The drab shades of last season have been replaced by lighter colors of green and white, and the rear portion of the massive grand stand, with its new dress, makes a striking appearance as one enters the grounds from that direction. The terraces that line the front of the stand have been concreted, while the concourse leading from the train shed to the stand has been treated in a similar manner. The administration offices, secretarys office and jockeys room are now more conveniently located on the ground floor under the grand stand. The building formerly used for these offices, and which is located some distance from the stand will in future be used for storage purposes. The new order will be greatly appreciated by horsemen and others who have business with the secretarys office. There has been some change made in the paddock arrangement. The four buildings which contained the saddling stalls and which were wide apart have been segregated and placed in a location that is more advantageous for horsemen and racegoers alike. A place under the grandstand has been provided for the saddling of the horses on days when the weather is inclement. The former judges stand has been remodeled, while the mutual board in the center field presents an improved appearance in its coat of fresh paint. The work of embellishing the centerfield has not been neglected, for workmen have been busily engaged planting shrubs and flowering plants at advantageous points. The result of the entire ensemble of floral beauty is most entrancing. Parking space for 10,000 cars has been provided. Arlington Park, situated on the Northwest Highway twenty-three miles by train from Chicago, and reached by good roads and fast trains on the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, promises to be Chicagos chief out-of-doors amusement ground. The railroad company has arranged for its usual good train schedule. The running time for the special trains to the track will be thirty-five minutes. President Otto W. Lehmann is most enthusiastic over the coming season, and predicts it will be one of the most brilliant ever witnessed on any Chicago track. A ,
