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REFLECTIONS NELS0N wnstan NEW YORK, N. Y., May 19.— The racing commissioners ended their New York convention today and seldom has a body of men heard such a wide variety of ideas on problems that are of vital interest to the American turf. There were many new faces at this years convention and it is unfortunate that in many states the term of the commissioners is not for a six-year duration, as it is here in New York. This was pointed out by J. Samuel Perlman, the publisher of this paper, when he spoke before the commissioners, for hardly, have these men become acquainted with the problems of racing than their terms expire and they are succeeded by commissioners, many of whom openly state they know so little about racing that they must start from the very beginning. It was a foregone conclusion that the racing commissioners would unanimously oppose off -track betting and when George D. Widener addressed the convention in the interest of The Jockey Club, it was very obvious that the Park Avenue organization is of the same opinion as the National Association of State Racing Commissioners and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations in opposing the measure which these bodies feel would be detrimental to the American turf. One or two states may eventually adopt off-track betting, but we believe that many years will pass before this form of wagering gains a foothold — if it ever does. A ,A A We are not surprised that George D. Widener expressed himself so forcibly on the subject of night racing. While some racing officials have stated that arc-light sport is only a question of time, there is a growing feeling among prominent officials that such a move is not necessary and especially so in the larger cities. Taking New York as an example, it is argued that many men now hold that greater attendances at night would create more revenue for both the state and the race tracks. What strikes us, however, is that our New York race tracks are now inadequate for the daily throngs, so, how Racing Commissioners Heard Many Speakers Widener Lauds Stand on Off-Track Betting Disqualification Rule Upheld by Cassidy Chemists Are Improving Dope Detection could they possibly take care of larger crowds if racing was staged in the evening? If that is the only argument that can be offered for night racing, we think it is a very weak one. And as George D. Widener points out, the change might drive many breeders and owners out of the business. Personally, we are keeping an open mind on this question for there are many men who insist that night racing must eventually come, even though they are rather vague in giving the reasons for their stand. AAA Widener was not pulling his punches in talking to the racing commissioners and especially so when he spoke of exaggerated stakes money for many of the important . events. Although the Belmont Stakes has 5,000 in added money, he said, "I do not believe any stake should be worth more than 0,000, though I am in favor of higher purses for other races." In the lush years of racing, when 00,000 races multiplied and events of 0,000 and 5,000 were also increased in number, there was a growing feeling among horsemen and trainers that the stakes money should be more equally divided. "Why," they asked, "should some events be worth 5,000 or 00,000 while others, which also had their place in the scheme of things, be worth 5,000 or 5,000?" Widener criticized the tendency among our race tracks to compete for stake horses and, of course, the-best way of doing that was to offer 0,000 for an event, while a neighbor- ing track added only 5,000 for a similar type of race on the same day. This, however, is more a matter for the Thoroughbred Racing Associations than it is for the National Association of State Racing Commissioners. We fail to see what even the TRA could do about a matter of this kind, for every track has the right to distribute its money as its officials see fit. Marsliall Cassidy, executiv.e secretary of The Jockey Club, made a most interesting talk on determining the actual ownership of horses and also a clearing house for racing colors. But, it was unfortunate that he offered such a weak explanation for the disqualification rule as it exists in New York. This is a ruling which naturally affects racing fans and, hardly had his speech been reprinted in this paper, when the mail brought us quite a few letters opposing his statements. As an example, Leo J. Cronin, of 43rd Avenue, Bayside, N. Y., writes: "This rule is antiquated and badly in need of correction. On several occasions this season we have seen a complete disqualification of winners who have only interfered with the second horse. The people who bet on the winner place and show lost their money only because New York is the only state in the country with such a foul rule. Regardless of what Mr. Cassidy may say, the disqualification of Rbcklye was an example of the absurdity of the present rule. This horse was seven lengths clear of the third horse when he fouled the second horse, yet, Rock-lye was placed last." This writer is in entire accord with Mr. Cronin and others who have written to us. The whole rule is absurd and we fail to see how The Jockey Club officials can go on justifying it. A A . A Charles E. Morgan, who is now the ex-president of the Association of Official Racing Chemists, and other members of that organization, made fine addresses on pre-race stimulation tests. Morgan was very honest when he said "Crime still exists despite all efforts of highly trained and well organized police forces. Nevertheless, the doping of race horses nowadays is an extremely risky business for those who would attempt it. The war against the dopester, however rare he may be, must continue." As the remarks of Mr. Morgan have been printed in this paper, it is unnecessary to repeat them here, but it is very obvious from the reports of the Association of Official Racing Chemists that the constant fight against those who commit nefarious acts with drugs on the race courses is becoming more successful annually. It will probably never be stopped completely, but only a fool will now match wits with the racing chemists.
