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! FLORIDA PARI-MUTUEL | J BILL PASSES SENATE J MIAMI, Fla., May 21.— There is great rejoicing in all circles here over the passage yesterday in the house of representatives, by a vote of 55 to 38, of a senate measure to legalize racing with pari-mutuel betting in this state. The action of the house virtually marked the successful conclusion of a twelve-year fight to establish racing in Florida on a solid basis and protect it with an adequate law. In every legislature since 1919 unsuccessful efforts were made to pass a turf bill. Five minor amendments were attached to the senate bill in the house. None of these changes the bill in any important detail. The amendments must be approved by the senate before the bill goes to Gov. Doyle E. Carlton. His attitude toward the measure is not known definitely, but the bill was drafted so that, it may become a law without the governors signature. The Florida constitution makes such provision when a legislative measure is not acted upon by the governor within five days after he receives it. The bill is a local option measure, each county must give its approval in a referendum for a track within its borders. The bill provides for a state racing commission of five members to supervise the operation of all tracks. Each course is limited to ninety days of racing annually. The state will levy a tax of three percent on the gross receipts cZ Ihe pari-mutuel3 and a fifteen percent tax on admissions. All revenue thus derived will go to the state treasury for distribution equally among the sixty-seven counties in the state.
