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. FITZGERALD is RETURNING AS . COMMISSION -A STEWARD SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR Walter C. Peacock Confirms Lexington News Makes Statement. State Street Jeweler Believes Return of Veteran Will Be Pleasing1 to Chicago Public. Chris J. FitzGerald Christopher J. FitzGerald will return to Illinois to represent the Illinois Racing Commission as its steward on the Chicago tracks this year, it was learned in Lexington today, and confirmed in Chicago by Walter C. Peacock, State Street jeweler and racing commission member. When interviewed after FitzGerald had revealed his intentions of returning to Illinois, Peacock said: "We had intended to make the announcement ourselves, but inasmuch as Daily Racing Form already has the information, all I can say is that it should be good news to many people. The last time I saw FitzGerald was when he stopped off in Chicago en route East from Santa Anita. He looked hale and hearty and fit for another long season of racing here." REFUSE RESIGNATION. FitzGerald, commission steward since the formation of that body in 1934 and often the target of attack, tendered his resignation last fall, but the commission refused to accept it and asked him to reconsider. .Chairman Leo Spitz, in particular, wasdetermined to keep FitzGerald at the helm as its active representative. Spitz has always praised the veteran turf official highly and usually defied anybody to name a more honest or capable official. The veteran official is returning for his sixth consecutive season in Illinois, and he has had a long and varied career in racing. He has filled almost every post on a race track, except that of manager of the mutuels. His experience is international in character. At one time he was personal representative of August Belmont and handled most of the details of the mammoth stable and breeding establishment of that noted sportsman and financier. FitzGerald has been a starter, judge, breeder, owner, racing commissioner, stew- ard and journalist. He was sporting editor of the New York Sun and editor of Daily Racing Form in New York.
