view raw text
BETWEEN RACES * °™ NEW YORK, N. Y., May 21. — During the 15 years of its existence, the National Association of State Racing Commissioners has had the good fortune to have as leaders some of Americas outstanding citizens. These men have built the organization into a powerful body — powerful in stature and public esteem. It AAA k V -«Ut*A "L, WaaU MMAAVs vgVWWlUi -A V was VI fc*0 AAA k V -«Ut*A "L, WaaU MMAAVs vgVWWlUi -A V VI fc*0 evident at the recent NARC convention here in New York this week that the state boards, who seem to be welded into a "more compact organization than at any ■ t -time in its existence, is about to embark upon a new phase which will reflect credit on both the commissioners and the entire turf. The new president of the NARC is Earl J. Moyer, a dynamic resident of Madison, Neb. His background is somewhat different from previous NARC heads. He is an attorney in the tiny town of Madison, metropolis of the county of the same name. The entire county has a population of about 30,000. It is about 120 miles northwest of Omaha. Some years ago, the Madison Fair, a popular institution with Nebraskans, was virtually insolvent. It was in debt 5,000 and, while that may not sound like a lot of money to a major racing association, it represented a tidy sum to the Madison Fair Association. Moyer was called in by a group of public-spirited citizens to help rehabilitate the, fair. Within a few years, he and his associates had modern- m ized the property, put it into the black, and today Mad- Moyer, New NARC Head, Dynamic Executive Madison Fair Sets Standard for Nation Ponders Future of National Organization Closer Track-State Liaison Advocated ison is considered one of the best small fairs in the nation. A model, if you will. AAA "Racing was established in Nebraska by the people," explained Moyer. "The law provides that it must be on a non-profit basis. Receipts "can be expended only in plant improvement, maintenance, and the remainder must be distributed for such items as premiums. Omaha, of course, is the only truly metropolitan track in Nebraska, and that association with Jake Isaacson at the head, has done a remarkable job. But while we are small at Madison, we nevertheless conduct the type of meeting that would be deemed first-rate sport anywhere. We have all modern safeguards» including the electrical starting gate, the photo finish, and a staff of competent and respected officials. We average only about 5,000 a day handle for our eight-day season, but we feel that a small play should not deter us from making every effort to offer the public a high-class meeting. Mere size does not always mean quality, nor does lack of size necessarily mean a meeting of lesser standards." AAA Moyer is well aware of the larger problems affecting racing throughout the entire country. He has, it might be explained, a solid "earth roots" experience with Madison and Omaha to guide him in arriving at conclusions. As he departed for his home following the New York convention, he said that he was going "to give particular attention during his term in office to certain fundamental problems, that have arisen on the turf, or, perhaps, it might be more truly stated, problems which we always have had with us. One is the function of such an organization as the NARC. What kind of a body should the NARC be? Should it be a body to speak out clearly in the best interests of racing, having no axe to grind, or should it limit its activities to serving as a liaison between tracks, state and public? Should racing boards sidestep controversial issues, including taxation, or should they take a bold and vigorous stand against inadequate tax legislation? Moyer confesses he doesnt know the answers to all these questions, but he is determined to find out, and, when he next addresses the NARC iri Mexico City, he may have the answer. In any event, his address should prove most interesting. AAA Of one thing Moyer is certain, and that is relationships between track managements and the various state commissions must be improved. He makes this observation on a general plane, admitting that in some states such liaisons are adequate and pleasant. .In others, there is a friction, which can do no good, and could lead to great harm. He intends to make intensive tudies along this line, and will include his conclusions in his Continued on Page Thirty-Nine I BETWEEN RACES L By OSCAR OTIS P Continued from Page Forty address at the next convention. Moyer admits that one of the weak spots of any organization such as the NARC is the turn- 5 over in personnel. Commissioners, of = course, are pawns of the state and as such L serve, usually, at the pleasure of the governors. When elections make for a change ? in state administration, quite often the f personnel of the commissions, or at least = part of it, also changes. Perhaps, one goal c of the NARC, as now constituted, would n be to establish itself, with the advice of c its "elder statesmen" who have served in * previous years, into a body which could .? make available its years of experience to 5 any incoming commissioners who might t not be too familiar with racing. £ AAA £ It struck this writer that Moyer is a man * " who is taking the presidency of the NARC seriously. Moyer also strikes us as a man 3 who intends to devote a great deal of time 5 and effort to forward the cause of racing, " improve the sport whenever and wherever k possible, and contribute to the prestige .of * the NARC. Incidentally, Moyer took time -before his departure for Nebraska to praise * and thank the many men who made the v stay in New York of the commissioners so enjoyable. Particular credit goes to the New York Racing Commission and chairman Ashley T. Cole; Henry Millar, secretary, who worked indefatigably during the sessions; the New York Racing Associations, the TRA, Daily Racing Form and others.
