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Moyer Moyer Elected Elected President President of of NARC; NARC; Delegate Delegate Popular Popular Winner Winner in in Crete Crete Name Nebraskan to Succeed Cole as Annual Confab Opens Asks More Emphasis Be Givent Racing as Sport; Sen. Wherry Warns of Excessive Taxation NEW YORK, N. Y., May 16.— Earl J. Moyer, chairman of the Nebraska State Racing Commission, became president of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners this morning at the first session of the fifteenth annual convention being held at the Hotel Commodore. Moyer had been first vice-president of the association, and, by the rules, automatically succeeded president Ashley T. Cole, chairman of the New York State Racing Commission. A. S. Drew, of Louisiana, was elevated from second to first vice-president, while Leo Edwards, of Florida, moved up from third to second vice president. Joseph W. Chinn, Jr., of Delaware, was appointed the new third vice president. The post of secretary-treasurer, which had been held temporarily by Mrs. A. E. Smith, of Lexington, Ky., has been split. E. E. Dale Shaffer, of Lexington, was appointed treasurer, while Mrs. Smith continues as secretary. Mrs. Smith succeeded Tom Underwood as secretary-treasurer last fall when that popular turfman was elected to Congress. Shortly before the close of the morning session it was voted to hold the 1951 convention of the NARC in Miami, on the invitation of Leo Edwards, of the Florida For address by the Hon. Thomas J. Curran and Chairman Cole see Page 2. commission. Selection of a site for next years convention was held in abeyance, pending consideration of an invitation from Oscar Obregon, Sr., of the Mexican Racing Commission, to hold the 1950 sessions in Mexico City. There was some doubt expressed as to whether the commissioners, as state appointees, would be able to attend a convention outside of the United States at the expense of their respective states. The highlights of the first days business came after the morning session was concluded. The 49 delegates from the 21 United States commissions, five delegates from foreign commissions and some 15 representatives of racing organizations were guests at luncheon of J. J. Isaacson, activities director of Ak-Sar-Ben, operators of Nebraskas non-profit race track at Omaha. Speakers at the luncheon were Senator Kenneth S. Wherry, Republican, of Nebraska; Congressman Tom Underwood, Democrat, of Kentucky, and newly-elected NARC president, Moyer. Before the speechmaking began, Michael Cohen, attache of the New York commission, suffered a heart attack. After attention by the house physician, Cohen was reported to be resting comfortably. Senator Wherry, who revealed that he was a former harness horseman, spoke eloquently on the advantages of state, rather than federal control of racing. The senator talso warned of the danger of excessive taxation developing from the increased costs of both federal and state government. As the need for revenue increases, it is only natural, Senator Wherry said, that the first thought of legislators should be to slice track profits and, quoting the familiar maxim, "The power to tax is the Continued on Page Tnree Moyer Elected Head of NARC As Annual Convention Opens Asks More Emphasis Be Givenl ► Racing as Sport; Sen. Wherry I Warns of Excessive Taxation Continued from Page One power to destroy," he urged the racing com- 1 missions to be alert against unfair levies. Senator Wherrys injection of the tax ] problem into the luncheon resulted in a revision -of the afternoon program, with ! president-elect Moyers report of the committee on pari-mutuel taxation being given first consideration at the afternoon session. Moyer spoke at some length concerning this report, a digest of which appears elsewhere in this edition. The Nebraskah said i that racing is entering an unusual era, with advances in costs of track operation coinciding with advances in cost of government and resulting in a trend toward increased taxation with a "decrease in pari-mutuel handles. Wright offered a resolution, which was promptly adopted by a standing vote, that Congressman Thomas R. Underwood" of Kentucky, who served the association for 15 years, as secretary, be commended for his devotion to the organization and that heartiest wishes be extended him for success in his new duties. Moyer went on to speak of the false impression gained by the public and the legislators of the huge profits enjoyed by racetrack operators. Too much emphasis, he declared, had been placed on racing as a business, rather than as a sport. Every element in racing, the track operators, breeders and owners, as well as the commissioners, who are not a lobby group, must strive to counteract the erroneous impression that racing is merely "a convenient vehicle for production of revenue," Moyer said. "Educational information must be furnished the public about racing, both as a well-regulated sport providing a high quality of entertainment and as a business," he continued. No tax relief can be obtained without this information being made available to the public and its* representatives," Moyer said. Sutton Explains Report Ellis Sutton, of Lexington, Ky., C.P.A., who prepared the report on taxation, then explained the report to the delegates, adding that he felt that it would be to the interest of the tracks to furnish exact figures on their net profits, which have been so greatly exaggerated in the public mind. Loyd Wright, chairman of the California Horse Racing Board, then went further with the matter of public relations. After complimenting Moyer on his report, Wright, supported by Alfred Luke, also of California, strongly criticized the racing associations and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of the United States, Inc., for their poor public relations policy, which has emphasized their campaign against ineffectual crooks, rather than the destination of the racing dollar. Both men urged action "here and now" to get before the public the true nature of the sport. Walter Donovan, speaking from both sides of the table, as a former president of NASRC and general manager of Garden State Park, said that he .felt that since the state has such a big stake in racing, the public relations question should be a task for both the commissions and management. Donovan said that when emphasis is placed on sport, pari-mutuels take care of themselves, but when emphasis is placed on pari-mutuel revenue the sport is killed, ultimately killing revenue. Moyer, who assumes office tomorrow, will appoint a committee to study effective improvement of public relations by the tracks and commissions. A report by the legialization of off-course betting committee was then ready by Loyd Wright. The report declared that off-course betting proposals appeared to be an expedient designed solely to increase revenue, a purpose that could more honestly be achieved by the establishment of lotteries. It was stated that such betting would neither control or reform existing bookmakers, who also operate in other sports, and would be ruinious to racing as a sport by curtailing attendance. The report also expressed wonder that the federal government didnt enact laws to curb bookmaking, which involves transactions crossing state lines. After citing the immense investment in racing, the report said that those putting on the show were entitled to a legitimate return, which would be nullified by the legalization of bookmakers away from the tracks. Wright then moved that the convention go on record opposing off-course wagering. The motion was seconded by Frank Small, Jr., of Maryland, and passed unanimously. The stimulation and drug committee, of which Wright is also chairman, stated that no satisfactory method of quick pre-race ► I 1 ] ! i _ _ analysis for the detection of stimulants or drugs had yet been found. President Ashley T. Cole called the convention to order at 9:50 a. m. with a brief welcoming address on behalf of the New York commission and the five racing associations of the Empire State. Cole then introduced "Our Boss ... a marr of deep and wide understanding and one most sympathetic to the problems of racing . . . our distinguished secretary of state, the honorable Thomas J. Curran." Curran greeted the assembled delegates with a brief, but glowing tribute to the thoroughbred sport, including a reminder to taxpayers of the importance of revenue gleaned from racing by the states which have legalized pari-mutuel wagering. Cole then again addressed the "convention at greater length, citing the improvements in the conduct of racing since the NARC was established in 1934 with seven member commissions, touching on the problems of drugs and stimulation, pari-mutuel taxation, off-course betting, the international situation and concluding, "presidents will go and presidents will come, but principles will endure." Broun Responds Beverley Broun, of West Virginia, former president of the jNARC, then offered a brief response to Currans address, speaking, as he said "off the cuff." Broun stressed the unique aspect of racing commissions in general pointing out that they are one type of political activity in which the state governors have almost invariably appointed the best men for the job, selecting individuals of established integrity and with a deep love for the sport of racing. President Cole then, following the procedure outlined in the NARC constitution, appointed a nominating committee, which retired to select a president, three vice presidents and a secretary-treasurer to serve for the ensuing year. Beverley Broun, Loyd Wright, of California; Byron E. Redman, of New Hampshire and C. A. Huntington, of Oregon, formed the committee. Earl J. Moyer, first vice president, of Nebraska, then introduced Mrs. A. E. Smith of Lexington, Ky., acting secretary-treasurer, who succeeded Tom Underwood in that post when the veteran Kentuckian was elected to Congress last fall. Mrs. Smiths report, which was unanimously approved, revealed that annual expenses exceeded annual receipts by approximately ,500. The receipts for 1948 consisted of ,000, a payment of 00 from each of the 20 states then members of the NARC, while the greater part of the expenditures were fgr some 60 bulletins, tabulations of revenue and taxation, and regular publication of horses barred for various reasons, information of importance to the member commissions. Peabody Reads Mandels Report Stuyvesant Peabody, Jr., newly appointed chairman of the Illinois Racing Board then read a report prepared by Frank E. Mandel, also of Illinois, who was unable to be present, for the uniform rules and procedure committee. The text of the Mandel report follows: "1. Last year at the Convention- of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners hold in New Orleans, the following rule covering Apprentice Allowances was unanimously adopted by the members present: Any boy who has in his own free will and, if under age,, with the written consent of his parents or guardian, bound himself to. an owner or trainer for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years by written instrument, which has been approved by and filed with the board or commission, and after showing proof of at least one years service with a racing stable, is permitted to claim in all overnight races except handicaps the following allowances: » a Seven pounds until he has ridden 20 winners; b Five pounds thereafter until he has ridden 40 winners, if he has ridden 40 winners prior to the end of one year from date of riding his first winner, the five-pound allowance continues until the end of that year; provided, however, that such allowances shall not be permitted beyond the period of three years from date of his f irsfc winner. c After the completion of a and b for one year he may claim three pounds when riding for his original contract employer provided his contract has not been transferred or sold. No allowance may be claimed for a period beyond the term of the contract, provided, however, that a contract of less than five years may be extended if the boy is still a minor with the written consent of his parents or guardian so that the total life of the contract is not more than five years. Under exceptional circumstances such as the inability of an apprentice to ride because of war service or restrictions on racing the board or commission may extend the periods provided for above. But no license shall be issued to anyone less than 16 years of age. Change of Apprentice Allowances "Your committee has been pleased to note during the past year that a number of states have changed their apprentice allowance rule to conform with the one adopted by the association. Unfortunately, other states have not seen fit to adopt it while some have modified the rule. This has resulted in more confusion than ever before and your committee again strongly recommends the adoption of a uniform rule. Further, it is recommended that the following portion of the apprentice allowance rule, as adopted by Florida on Feb. 15 of this year, be appended: Any apprentice jockey duly licensed by this board or commission who may be injured while in line of his duties at a licensed track in and who because of said injury becomes incapacitated and prevented from performing his duties as an apprentice jockey for a period of at least 60 days or more, will be given credit for the entire period that he is incapacitated if in the ■ opinion of the board or commission he is entitled to the time lost and he applies for the same in good faith. All that time shall.be added to the one year from the time that he rides his first winner that he is entitled to ride as an apprentice under the recognized rules of racing. "It is the firm conviction of your committee that the apprentice allowance rule as presented here is the best yet devised. "2. While the following rule does not have the unanimous approval of your committee, it is nevertheless recommended for your serious consideration and criticism: If a winning horse is claimed, it shall not start in a selling or claiming race for a period of thirty 30 days from date of claim for less than 25 per cent more than the amount for which it was claimed. All other horses claimed shall not be penalized. More Time Needed "This rule have been recently adopted by The Jockey Club and a number of states. It is possible that the length of time during which it has been in force has not been sufficient to find out whether it has any faults or drawbacks. However, the rule has been in operation in Illinois for the past two years and has proven to be eminently satisfactory. It is the opinion of your chairman that the general claiming rule is for the express benefit of the average horseman as he is the one directly affected by it and all criticism by the horsemen in Illinois of the aforementioned portion of the claiming rule has been entirely favorable. "3. The following rule, as adopted by The Jockey Club, is endorsed and recommended by your committee: No person shall have in his possession within the confines of a race track or within its stable, buildings, sheds or grounds where horses are lodged or kept who are eligible to race over a race track of an association holding a race meeting, any drugs or stimulants, hypodermic syringes or hypodermic needles or similar instruments which may be used for injection, or batteries, electrical or mechanical or other appliances other than the ordinary whip or spur. "4. The following rule is in force in most states but your committee urgently recommends that it be made uniform wherever racing is legal: Declaration. — In purse races and overnight handicaps with more than eight 8 entries owner shall have the right to declare out to that number, free of charge, by scratch time on the day of the race, such right to be determined by lot when necessary, but there shall be no declarations below eight without the consent of the stewards. " President Cole then suggested that, in view of the importance of "ground rules" made necessary by varying conditions in different racing areas, this report be "approved" rather than "adopted." The chairman of the New York commission made it clear that he felt that this was an excellent report in its entirety, but that some portions might not be applicable in all sections of the country. After further discussion by George H. Foster, of Colorado, who felt that the new scratch rule protected the public from "dead horses," and who urged the immediate adoption of those portions of the report on which unanimity could be obtained, and by James Heffering, president of the Incorporated Canadian Racing Associations, who opposed the scratch rule, President Cole made a new motion. This move, which was promptly passed, turns the JIandel report over to the incoming executive committee, who will hear arguments on debatable points, then present their conclusions to a later session of the convention for final vote.
