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Attempt to Legalize Off-Track Wagering Committee on Taxation to Favor Bookmaking in Massachusetts BOSTON, MASS., May 8. — The widespread attempt to legalize "away-from-the-track" betting settled in the Massa-1 chusetts area today when it was learned that the State Legislative Committee on Taxation, in a secret session at a local hotel last night, considered recommending the licensing of "bookies" who take bets on horse and dog racing, as well as other sports, away from the tracks and sports arenas. The most startling disclosure after the meeting revealed that Harold R. Allen of Brockton, chairman of the Massachusetts State Racing Commission, is to publicly support the measure, while Tax Commissioner Henry F. Long and Attorney General Clarence A. Barnes also came out in its favor. This is said to be the outcome of the current strong opposition to Governor Bradfords tax program to enact a 2 per cent, sales tax, boost the gasoline tax two cents a gallon, double the state income tax on earnings and raise the corporation income tax 1 per cent. Racing commissioner Allen said that while his views were not necessarily those of the commission, he plans to recommend to the legislature the legalization of book-making. He said it would triple the states income from racing and give the commonwealth income of at least 5,000,000 in addition to the pari-mutuel "take." Attorney General Barnes estimate was more conservative, 0,000,000. In other quarters it was estimated that such a successful measure would result in up to 0,000,000 of additional revenue to the state. The joint committee has before it two proposals on legalizing bookmaking, one proposed five years ago by a committee headed by Tax Commissioner Long, and the other a bill introduced into the current session by Representative John W. Vaughan, Republican of Belmont. Vaughan is a neighbor of Thomas Pappas, brother of John Pappas, chairman of the board of directors and treasurer of the Eastern Racing Association, Inc., which operates Suffolk Downs. Although the initial spark gained a great deal of impetus during the early part of the day, the general belief is that its chances of passing are remote. Local church organizations, big league baseball and many sporting enterprises are expected to form a powerful lobby against any such move.
