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Racing at Hawthorne Not Affected by Rail Strike Track Serviced by Street Cars, Buses and Elevated Lines HAWTHORNE, Cicero, 111., May 24.— Despite the staggering rail strike, racing here, where Lincoln Fields is conducting a 30-day meeting, was not in the least affected this afternoon, as an average weekday crowd braved inclement weather to witness the sport. The local plant does not depend on any railroad to service the track, there being abundant elevated lines, street car and buses, plus easy access from any part of Chicago by automobile. Just how horsemen who need grain, hay, and straw to feed and otherwise care for their horses will fare should the strike continue for an extended period, however, is a moot question. Most of the fodder is shipped in here by truck, and no immediate cause for alarm was seen. The majority of horses who raced during the recent meeting at Churchill Downs Continued on Page Three Racing at Hawthorne Not Affected by Rail Strike Track Serviced by Street Cars, Buses and Elevated Lines Continued from Page One and who were due to continue their campaign at this track, already have arrived. FAIR GROUNDS, Detroit, Mich., May 24. — The railroad strike isnt expected to have a serious effect upon the meeting scheduled to open here tomorrow. Practically all the horses who will race here are on hand and the track is so conveniently located that a banner day attendance is anticipated for tomorrow. According to word from public service company executives, bus and street railway transportation will be ample to take care of the expected throng and, for those who drive to the Woodward Avenue racing grounds, spacious parking facilities are available. BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 24. — The railroad strike had surprisingly little effect on the attendance or wagering at Belmont Park today, although the attendance was approximately 5,000 below the average for a week day, with 19,190 checking through the turnstiles and the wagering running about 0,000 per race below average. However, as nearly 15,000 persons have been coming to the New York tracks by Long Island railroad daily and now lack that means of transportation, both attendance and wagering figures are better than anticipated. Traffic on the highways was not unduly congested during the morning, but the roads became clogged with taxis and private cars as post time drew near and several hundred patrons missed the first race. NARRAGANSETT PARK, Pawtucket, R. I., May 24. — Attendance dropped somewhat here this afternoon as a result of the first full day of the rail strike. Many of the patrons who used the trains to come to Pawtucket or Providence apparently either arranged motor car transportation or used buses which come to this track from many nearby cities, including Boston. Continuation of the strike is not expected to curtail the meeting seriously at Suffolk Downs which opens Monday. Horses here destined for the East Boston track can be moved by van and this week-end is expected to see the bulk of them shifted to the Massachusetts racing oval. Some strings that were going to more distant points, such as Monmouth, Delaware Park and Detroit may be forced to remain here inasmuch as rail transportation will not be available. HAVRE DE GRACE, Md., May 24.— Only a very slight decrease in normal attendance was noted at this Harford County racing plant today as a result of the paralyzing railroad strike which gripped the nation. Although denied the usual railroad specials that normally bring patrons direct to the track from Wash gton, Baltimore and Philadelphia, the attendance held up remarkably well and the management estimated the fall-off in patronage was no more than 15 per cent.
