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ASKS FOR PROBE OF RACING Assembly Committee Finds Commissioner Roth Unqualified; Fitzgerald Unjustly Suspended. SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 10. A comprehensive study of the horse racing situation in California was recommended to the legislature here Thursday by the assembly committee which has for the last few months been investigating the State Racing Board. Such a study would result in "changes beneficial to everyone interested, and to the general welfare of horse racing in California," the report stated. The investigators found that William P. Roth of San Francisco, one of the committee of three appointed by Governor Merriam, is not qualified for his position. Roth has not the knowledge, training or experience necessary to an intelligent discharge of his duties, the report states. Roth is in the transpacific shipping business in San Francisco and 13 not particularly interested in thoroughbred horse racing, he Informed the committee. It was this unfitness and apathy on the part of Roth to racing that resulted in charges that Carlton Burke, chairman, dominated the racing board, contrary to the intent and purpose of the law. UNWARRANTED SUSPENSION. The suspension of trainer "Woody" Fitzgerald in connection with the alleged "doping" of the horse Proclivity at Santa Anita, last January, was "unwarranted," the committee reported, stating that the rules governing the making of saliva tests were not properly followed. T. J. Carroll, Fitzgeralds assistant, who now is under suspension on the same charge, was unjustly punished, according to the report. The Horse Racing Board failed to take steps favorable to encouragement of breeding of thoroughbred horses in California, as required by law, and this failure was criticized by many trainers and owners of horses, as well as breeders, the committee found. The investigators interrogated trainers of national repute in connection with the taking of saliva tests and reported that the horsemen believe they should be permitted to have a sample of the saliva, taken at the time the "official" test is made, by way of protection and avoidance of error; The report states that a further, more detailed and comprehensive investigation should be made of the turf sport, setting forth that such an inquiry could be expected to result In better conditions generally. The committee declined to suggest changes in the existing laws, declaring the information at hand was not sufficient upon which to base recommendations for changes.
