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, Here and There on the Turf Racing Needs One Head Too Little Reciprocity Interests Are Divided Question of Taxation 1 Most any theory of government will work If the administration is composed of competent and fair-minded persons. This is true in racing, which throughout the world is conducted under various types of govern-ment. In France it is the Republic through the Department of Agriculture; in England it is the Jockey Club, whose membership Hudes many of that countrys leading Bders and owners. In the United States HilMVs directed in each state having HPPel wagering by a politically-appointed commission. Regardless of which method is K employed, it will prove highly satisfactory Kff the administration is in the hands of Wright-thinking and right-acting persons. Therein lies a major shortcoming In the racing of this country. The honesty and integrity of the various state racing commissioners is in no way under suspicion. No finer group of men could have been assembled than those who took part in the recent convention of the National r Association of State Racing Commissioners. However, each commissioner is charged with the duty of protecting the interests of racing in his particular state regardless of whether the sport in another state is harmed in doing so. Some of the commissioners undoubtedly realize that harmonious action in all cases would tend to elevate the standards of racing in the long run and thereby further its preservation, but too many of them have come up too quickly, thus missing the opportunity of acquiring an essential knowledge of the sports history and traditions. American racing should have one head such as is the case in England or France. In this country each state governs the sport In its own particular way. The same results could be attained as in the old countries, although it is well-nigh impossible, if the various commissions could forget state boundaries, but there seems no way in the world by which these groups could work out a schedule of race meetings calculated to divide the better classes of horses equally. To do this the seasons in most states would have to be greatly reduced. With the demand for revenue from racing so extensive ag it is at present, the states are either encouraging or permitting without protest the track operators to stage as much racing as the traffic will bear. Unfortunately, too many managements are unable to figure out just how far they can go, failing to realize that it is better to have too little racing than too much. With nearly every state out to get as much revenue as possible from racing, thereby "killing the goose that laid the golden egg," the various commissions can do nothing more than to administer the sport to the best of their ability, limited in many cases by a lack of experience. .The commissioners are charged with the duty of protecting the state, which compels them to act in a manner insuring the collections of the commonwealths taxes and fees. Occasionally this puts them in a position where they must take steps harmful to the best interests of the sport itself. A topic of racing receiving very little attention from the commissioners is that of taxation, which in most states is very thoroughly mixed in with the pari-mutuel takeout. While, as a rule, the racing governors have nothing to do with this phase of the sport, they are in an excellent position to make observations and also recommendations if not fearful of treading on somebodys toes. In Maryland, where the state racing commission idea has been seen to best advantage, the incumbent board has not hesitated to speak its mind on betting and taxation matters. To the Maryland officials racing is one thing and anything else is incidental. Racing pays too heavily for the privilege of existing, so much in fact that many of the states which recently have legalized wagering will turn against the sport as soon as it grows shaky from support that can well be maintained by adequate supervision and taxation low enough to allow a fair pari-mutuel take..
