view raw text
Sil§l§£:: v sral: iH HERBERT BAYARD SWOPE — The chairman of the Turf Committee of America asks racing patrons to conserve gasoline consumption and to do all in their power to aid the war effort. Asks Racing Fans To Conserve Gas Swope Urges Patrons to Use Trains and Buses to Tracks As Big Aid in War Effort NEW YORK, N. Y., May 11.— Herbert Bayard Swope, chairman of the New York State Racing Commission, today released the following statement: "Racing patronage this year, in common with that of sports in general, such as baseball, track meets, golf and others, has gone up heavily over last years figures. But that should not lull into a false security those interested in the turf or other sports. "It is true that these sports make little demand upon war supplies, except in two instances — tires and, particularly, gas. "We must be careful to see that the attitude of the government with respect to the use of these two materials, is strictly observed. "Therefore, I suggest, not as chairman of the New York State Racing Commission, but as an individual interested in the turf and in other sports, that the patrons of racing use gas as sparingly as possible, especially in private automobiles. Instead, it would be helpful if they patronized the trains and buses. The publics co-operation in this would be helpful and contribute to the continuation of racing. No Disposition to Shut Down Amusements "This can be said with authority: "There is no disposition on the part of Washington to shut down on amusements. On the contrary, the official attitude is to continue them, so that the public may have the opportunity to relax from the grimness Of the war effort. "This, I am informed, applies to baseball, the movies, theaters and other recreations in addition to racing. "The Turf Committee of America has set racings contribution to the national relief Organizations at ,000,000 to be paid, not by the public, but out of the profits of the various race tracks. It looks as if this goal would be reached, but that is not enough. Racing must fit into the pattern Of the war without asking special indulgence. If it can do this, it will go on. If it cant, it should not exist. "In New York state, racing pays approximately 0,000,000 to the treasury. This is ftn important item in our budget. If racing goes on the way it has begun this season that figure will be exceeded. In the total there is included the direct commission of five per cent from the public pools; the breakage, one-half of which goes to the state by law; the admission tax, approximately 00,000, the realty tax and the State income tax. "Its up to us in racing to help carry on, but, above all, never to interfere with our War program."
