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New Orleans Citizens Vote For Off-Track Wagering NEW ORLEANS. La., May 29.— Whether New Orleans shall have legalized band-books or not was squarely up to the Louisiana State Legislature today. The citys voters, by a tally of nearly seven to one, yesterday went on record as favoring Mayor de Lesseps Morrisons program for regulating and taxing bookmaking outside the race track enclosure. Reports of volunteer commissioners who served in the unofficial referendum showed a final count of 50,683 votes for and ,334 against the proposition. The issue voted on was whether or not citizens desired passage of a House of Representatives bill amending the Racing Commission law "to permit handbook operation." The ballot read: "Should the present racing law be amended to permit regulation and taxing of handbooks outside the race track enclosure, as outlined in house bill 189?" Mayor Morrison hailed the results and said his next move will be determined after consultation with New Orleans delegation members and other legislators. A statement from the mayors office said Mayor Morrison would "try to convince" the legislature that "this is the program the people of New Orleans wish," and "I cannot see why they should not have the right to govern themselves."
