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REFLECTIONS *y NELS0N wnstan NEW YORK, N. Y., June 4.— In recent weeks, this writer has been closely following the turf proceedings in Florida and, it may surprise you, in Connecticut. Hectic goings on are nothing new in Florida, and this writer, for one, was pleased when the so-called "Gulfstream Date Bill" was killed in the state senate, on a 19 to 19 tie vote. As you probably know, this particular bill would have divided the 120-day racing season into six 20-day periods instead of three 40-day sessions, as is now the practice. This writer is of the opinion that the vast majority of lawmakers in the state of Florida are honorable men who take their duties at Tallahassee seriously and, for that reason, we were surprised that such a bill could draw 19 men who were in favor of it. Had that bill passed, Tropical Park would have been forced out of business, for they would have gotten the first days and the last days of the Florida season. An unfortunate aftermath of this Florida date war was a beating allegedly given Stephen Trumbull, veteran Miami-Herald correspondent, by Senator A. G. McArthur, the rules committee chairman. The press throughout the entire state of Florida is aroused by the unwarranted attack on this newspaperman, who was simply doing his job in reporting the facts to his paper. A " A A After three hernia operations and warnings from his doctor not to do anything strenuous, Trumbull drove from Miami to cover the so-called "Gulfstream Case." Trumbull had been reporting extensively on this measure which was before the state senate, and he said, "It was the highest pressured and most lobbyed piece of legislation that has been up here. It was the type of . -legislated maneuvering that any self-respecting reporter had to cover and report. While I do not say there was any skullduggery, it was so unusual that I wrote a lot about it." When the bill was defeated last Tuesday, Trumbull approached Senator W. A. Shand and said something to the effect, "Didnt that look like the fastest play of the season." Shand turned away and talked with Senator McArthur. The latter, a big, powerful man, Aftermath of Defeated Gulfstream Bill Newspaperman Brutally Beaten by Senator Reporter Barred From Senates Chamber Gerth Wants Pari-Mutuels in Connecticut went at Trumbull furiously and, without even listening to an explanation, started throwing punches. As a result of the fracas, Trumbull was barred from the senate chamber, and that is one of the reasons why the press of Florida is up in arms about the whole affair. As we see it, the attack by a state senator on a man who had had three hernia operations was cowardly. As to the skullduggery— well, we can all have our own opinion. AAA The measure, which would have raised havoc with the Florida racing season, was introduced by Senator George Laird, of Broward County, in which Gulfstream Park is located. According to the reports from Tallahassee, there was considerable puzzlement over the fact that the Hialeah Park officials sided so strongly with opponents of the Leaird Bill. According to informed sources, the Hialeah operators regarded Tropical Park as a buffer. They were fearful that if Gulfstream Park was successful this year in being given preference over Tropical, Gulfstream would then make the Hialeah dates their objective in the 1951 legislative session. The state law in Florida now says that the track which contributes the most in taxes be given the choice dates. Under this arrangement, Hialeah operated during this past season from January 17 to March 3 and, at the end of the session, the officials were very pleased with the results. Horse racing has been a life saver to the Sunshine State, and it is just unfortunate that it has become a political football for men who viciously attack a newspaperman who has the courage to write the truth as Trumbull did. Trumbull is now suffering from a fractured cheekbone as a result of an attack when he was too weak to defend himself due to this series of operations. If Trumbull takes his case to court, as he certainly should, he will be supported by every newspaper in the state of Florida. One of the men present at the funeral services of the late Lewis Waring, chairman of the New Jersey State Racing Commission, was Ralph E. Gerth, who has been campaigning for a bill to legalize horse racing in Connecticut. About a month ago, Gerth appeared before the Judiciary Committee hearing to voice approval of Senate Bill 337, which would set up a state racing commission. The bill is still in committee, insofar as we know, but was reported favorably. At the hearing, Gerth termed Connecticut "a sucker state for refusing to follow the surrounding progressive states which allow pari-mutuel betting." Gerth put up a great defense for horse racing during his talk, and in one part said, "It is the only international sport recognized as furthering goodwill between nations. It is the oldest, most popular constructive sport in the world. I think it is just plain class legislation for4minority groups to keep people going to other states when they want to see a horse race." t AAA How far the Connecticut bill will get is a moot question. For years there has been talk of legalized horse racing in Connecticut, just as there has been in Pennsylvania. About a month ago, when a pari-mutuel bill appeared to be favorable in Pennsylvania, it was killed, much to the surprise of its sponsors. This writer is of the opinion that enough states in the East now have horse racing. However, our opinion or that of any other individual counts very little in a matter of this kind. It is solely up to the lawmakers of any state as to whether they want horse racing and also the revenue which accrues from the sport. Connecticut has always been a fine little state and is the home of many sportsmen. Whether one or two tracks could be conducted successfully, we are frank to say, we do not know. Gerth contends that a possible site for a track in Connecticut would be in Fairfield County, and, perhaps, one in Putnam County. It is true that many Connecticut people come to the New York tracks and, especially, to Empire City when it was operating. Whether there are enough horse racing fans in that state is one question, but we believe, as Gerth does, that if there is enough, they are entitled to a track of their own.-
