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, : If Addresses at Turf Convention J 2 j , ] i j : : , j , ] : ; ] i ■ ■ I . Delegates to the fifteenth annual convention of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners, which opened yesterday at the Hotel Commodore, New York City, were welcomed by Ashland T. Cole, the retiring president, in the following address: "My fellow members of -the association and our very welcome guests. "It seems to be the practice of the association down through the years to require, or, at least, to expect a presidents address. Merely because it has become a practice or a custom, I would like to present to you at no great length, a brief consideration of some of the aspects of racing supervision. "State supervision of racing has increased and, I believe, has improved since that day in 1934 when the few states in which racing commissions then were organized were represented by those commissions at the first meeting of this association at Miami. At that time only seven states had created racing commissions, and those commissions sent representatives to that organization meeting. Today, 15 years later, racing commissions are functioning in 25 states, and of those 21 are represented at this meeting. During the past year two states have cre-ated.racing commissions, Arizona and Colorado, and I am happy to say that representatives of both those commissions are with us here today to take their full part in our deliberations and assist in our unanimous aim, which is the oft-quoted best interest of racing. "It is not beyond reasonable expectation that within a year or two, more states may find it practicable and desirable to create racing commissions to institute racing in their territories ,or to f oster racing if already established. During the past year, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Texas, and perhaps other states, have considered legislation for the establishment of racing commissions. Texas was once in our ranks and may be again. Differences of Opinion "It is not in the nature of individuals to invite or relish supervision, and businesses are merely combinations of individuals and naturally react as individuals do when faced with the prospect of supervision. Those engaged in the business of racing are in no way different from other combinations of individuals and some are resentful, passively or actively, of the state governments presuming to limit their activities or supervise their affairs even in the best interests of racing. Of course, there will always be differences of opinion about what is for the best interests of racing, and racing itself would be a poor sort of sport, if, indeed, it would exist at all, were it not for differences of opinion. "It has been my experience over a period of more than seven years, and with some knowledge of the working of commission supervision in other states, that state racing commissions are most reluctant to interfere with business control of racing, that their attitude has been in nearly every situation, one of helpful cooperation with the racing associations and I do not hesitate to assert, and flatly and unequivocally assert, that racing commissions have done more to continue, yes, and, in some cases, tovestab-lish that public confidence in the decency and fairness of this kind of sport which is absolutely essential to its continuance both as a sport and as a business. Attitude Changed Many years ago I attended a luncheon -which was given by the presidents of all the large railroads in New York State. The guest of honor was my father, who at that time was chairman of the New York State Railroad Commission. The toastmaster was Chauncey-W. Depew, at that time president of the New York Central System. Mr. Depew said that when the bill establishing the railroad commission was before the ; legislature in 1883 or 1884, the railroads | opposed it bitterly, and also opposed its 1 approval by Grover Cleveland, then Governor of the State. They believed that the ! railroads themselves were in better position to fix their own rates and to determine their own capital structure. After the lapse of 15 years, Mr. Depew said that if an attempt were made to abolish the railroad commis-• sion, the railroads would oppose that move ; just as bitterly. It seems that the railroads had found out that the railroad commission afforded the only secure bulwark against ; legislative action which sometimes would be i based on misinformation or a lack of-infor- • matiori and would some times be tinged with t politics and all working to the disadvantage of the railroad. They had come to realize s that the railroad commissioners were well i informed concerning most of the problems ; affecting the roads, that they afforded a i forum to which they could resort with their troubles and a defender against hasty and I ill advised legislative action. "The racing commissions of the country must realize that in the racing commissions ; they have that same bulwark against hasty r and drastic action, frequently animated by r politics, which even the best legislatures are sometimes inclined to take. The commissions ■ are in duty bound to familiarize them- ■ . j. i a mil x i » t. ;» ; | 1 ! ; ; i • t s i ; i I ; r r ■ ■ selves with at least the major problems of i racing and, therefore, the associations have an informed tribunal to which they can resort for aid in the solution of their problems without being subjected to political pressure or expediency." "It is not my intention to make more than brief references to some acute problems which racing faces today. Those problems, have been made a special study by special committees which you have graciously permitted me to appoint. One of these problems is the ever-recurring one of drugs and stimulation as resorted to by dishonest so-called horsemen in their ef- : forts to cheat their fellows-horsemen and i the public. Last year we considered and approved a really exhaustive report on this ; subject, and this year there will be presented to you an additional report of cer- : tain matters which merit your full attention. On this subject also we will have the opportunity to sit down with the Association of Official Racing Chemists, and to learn what these men and women, who are our advisers and guides on drugs and stimulation in our respective states, are : doing and plan to do to enable us to drive the few remaining crooks and rascals out of the racing business. Problem of Taxation "Another problem of major ihportance is the taxation, I may say, the over-taxation of pari-mutuel pools. In this may rest the entire future of racing, because it is only a question of time when the patrons of racing may decide that they have had enough and, to thoroughly mix a metaphof, the goose that laid the golden eggs may be left to wither on the vine. You will hear at this meeting a most carefully and scientifically prepared report on this subject, a report, which I believe, should receive the widest possible circulation and consideration, and, if reason and right are of any consequence to those who frame our tax laws, it should go a long way toward checking this utterly destructive tendency. "Another report which has received the consideration of a special committee is concerned with the legalization of off-course betting. The licensing by the state of bookmakers or of privately owned horse-parlors, or their operation by the state itself, has received the support of some people who are of the, opinion that such an operation would produce prodigious revenue for the state and for some municipalities, and at the same time eliminate the unlawful bookmakers. A well reasoned consideration of the subject could lead to but one conclusion — that it would do neither, but, that practically certainly, the establishment of gambling upon such a broad scale would result in an aroused public opinion that would drive racing from the scene. I may add, as some of you may remember, that within the past few years, this Association has on two occasions unanimously expressed its disapproval of legalized off-course betting. "In closing, may I refer briefly to the international situation, a report on which you will also hear. Many organizations in all parts of the world have been in communication during the past year with this Association and also with some of our State Commissions. It is an indication that the work which we are doing- in this country in aid of racing has aroused interest abroad and many requests have come for aid in combatting the illegal administration of drugs, and for our procedure under the rules of racing. I am hopeful that our intercourse with our foreign racing friends may be continued arid expanded. "If I may "be permitted a further word,-it is to say that it has been a great honor to have served by your choice as your presi-; dent for the -past year. I hope that I have served some useful purpose and that I have succeeded, if only in a slight degree, in forwarding the principles for which the Association has always forthrightly stood. Presidents will go and presidents will come, but the principles must endure, and to en-; dure, they must be unequivocally and con- sistently asserted. "Thank you, my dear friends and col-; leagues." New York states official welcome to the delegates was extended by Secretary of State Thomas J. Curran, in the absence of Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, Mr. Curran said: "Mr. president, delegates to the conven-s tion, officers and members of the New York Racing Associations: "On behalf of Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, I give you warm welcome to the great State of New York. "We are proud of our state and proud that the National Association of State Racing Commissioners selected the Empire State— and New York City in particular — as the place in which to hold its fifteenth annual convention. "Similarly, we are proud that your great association has seen fit to further recog- nize New York State by giving to a New Yorker, the Honorable Ashley Trimble Cole, the presidency of your most representative organization. - "In coming to the Empire State, you have come to an area in which is to be found what we in New York State believe to be the home of the finest thoroughbred racing in all the world. "In making this statement, I bow to the great State* of Kentucky, to California, to Florida, to Louisiana and to all the other states outside of New York where thoroughbred racing is legalized. "I know you would not begrudge us our warmly inherent pride in our thoroughbred racing facilities here on our five great tracks. "I know you join with me in hailing our magnificent Belmont Park Stakes, which we feel to be equal in brilliance to the famed and possibly more glamorous Kentucky Derby. "But its a poor man, indeed, who would not boast loudly of that which is his own — and perhaps cock a jaundiced eye at the possessions of others. On such is based love of home-and all around it, and in it. On such is based sectional pride. Arid, in pleasant comparisons are to be found the basis of warm friendships, fair competition among states, and the orderly propagation of the sport of— not kings alone — but the sport of all men and women who find a thrill in the rushing flight of great horses ridden with skill. And if I appear to become lyrical, I know youll understand. "Now, the story of racing in America is a great one. It is a story well known to you. I will not attempt to even touch upon its highlights", or tell you how wise regulations, by state racing commissions, and helpful supervision by the commissions and The Jockey Club, have done so very much for the sport in improving the breeding of thoroughbreds, and in protecting the public. "However, one thing I do want to do — and with the greatest emphasis — is to publicly rerijind taxpayers in the 25 states wherein thoroughbred racing is legalized— most certainly including New York — that their tax burdens would be far greater were it not for legalized thoroughbred racing. • "At this juncture, I could embark upon Contijiued ori Page Four Addressesat NARC Convention Now in Session in New York Continued from Page Two a statistical resume of tax collections from racing in this and other states. To do this would be to burden you with endless statistics with which you are already familiar, and I know you are impatient to get on with the real business of your convention. But, at the same time, I reiterate that I do not think your association should place greater emphasis in your public relations upon the enormous states tax revenues obtained from thoroughbred racing, which is now at the highest level of decency and honest supervision it has ever attained. "It would, of course, be both silly and inaccurate to say that abuses are no longer to be found in thoroughbred racing. They do exist — they may always exist in lesser fashion — as long as human nature remains what itis, and elements of chance and gain prevail. But the tide of fraud, chicanery, underworld interference with clean racing — has receded — and will further recede as long as strong, fearless public officials are appointed to state racing commissions, and as long as The Jockey Club and other groups of fine men and women interested these many years in improving the breed, continue their love for horseflesh, and take pride in the colors" worn by their riders. "Again recalling that the agenda of this convention is a heavy one — and having personally withstood the rigors of speakers armed with a determined desire to emulate Tennysons brook — I take leave ofyou now. I do so with reiterated expressions of welcome, and my sincere hope that the business of this convention, and the social aspects of your visit to New York — will be most satisfactory on the one hand, and enjoyable on the other. I urge, also — that you come back and see us again soon — and enjoy our racing while here!"
