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Off *r" *—"—-***—— BETWEEN RACES * 0SCM 0TIS GARDEN STATE PARK, Camden, N. J., May 8.— Jack Denis, president of the National Association of Thoroughbred Breeders, is of the opinion that there is an urgent need for the oft-proposed plan of a national turf congress, or council, which could speak authoratively for the entire entire industry industry in in times times of of stress. stress. *—"—-***—— entire entire industry industry in in times times of of stress. stress. Denis reveals that the NATB as long ago as last winter took the initiative toward forming such a council by inviting representatives of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners, Thoroughbred Racing Associations, Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association and American Trainers Association to participate. The council failed to materialize, however, when the powerful TRA group failed to respond. Another tacit refusal came from a body within the NATB, the Washington Breeders Association, perhaps the richest group of breeders in America. We say rich because the Washington breeders, with headquarters in Seattle, have sources of revenue not open to the average association, including a club in the northwest part of town, valuable downtown property, and a small, but nevertheless far from negligible percentage of the pari-mutuel take at the states two tracks, Longacres and Spokane. These financial resources are all to the good, for it enables the Washington breeders, in their own state, to do a magnificent job. AAA "We are not critical of anyones ideas," explains Denis, "as everyone within the industry does not always see things the same way. But it is rather disheartening that the breeders, as represented by the NATB, are best qualified to present the case of racing, both intra-state and nationally, when crises develop, are without adequate Jack Denis Tells Need of Turf Council Tax Problem Newest Confronting Racing Shoe Manufacturers Also Facing Crisis NATB Studying Public Relations Set-Up funds. And a crisis seems to be popping up all the time, with no end in sight. Racings problems do not stop at state lines. In addition to the turmoil in Florida, there are two problems facing the turf at the moment, one serious, the other still a problem. The first is the proposal, which has been officially broached in Washington, D. C, that tax losses on any phase of thoroughbred operation, especially as relates to the racing of a stable or the conduct of a breeding farm, be cut to ,000 per year from the present 0,000. The enactment of such legislation would force many of the more prominent owners out of business and would cheapen the racing, if not destroy it. The other •problem is more-technical, but it is a fact that manufacturers of horse shoes have only a two-month supply of aluminum on hand. If aluminum becomes unobtainable, it may be that state racing commissions may decree thg all horses must race in steel shoes to prevent any JJDrse, through circumstance, having an advantage." AAA Some leading thinkers of the industry have reached the conclusion that racing, in its final relationship to government, has become merely a tax gathering machine, and that efforts to disrupt it by the enactment of an unfair tax-loss deduction law would cost government, in the aggregate, far more than would be saved. These leaders have likened the racing and production of thoroughbreds to the oil industry, where certain tax conces sions have been granted to stimulate initiative in the discovery and development of new wells, fields and reserves. But unlike the oil industry, a thoroughbred operation cannot lose indefinitely. Every fifth year, the operation must show a profit, or the government decides that the whole thing wasnt operated as a business, but rather as a hobby. "A lot of these schemes are directed against racing merely because it looks like an easy target, and those who know nothing about racing get the idea that millions in loose money is floating around merely because they read where a horse wins a 00,000 purse like the Santa Anita Handicap or Kentucky Derby," says Denis. "We understand there is no immediate danger of the ,000 clause being enacted, but once it has been proposed, there is always danger." AAA As for the shoe crisis, no one on the turf, which has an enviable record in all wars, would want to use aluminum if it would interfere with the defense effort, but at the same time if the metal becomes scarce, the NATB feels the problem should be solved in advance. It is known that some stables have a tidy supply of shoes on hand, which would give them a definite advantage if other stables were forced to rely on steel. Incidentally, racing uses about 200 tons of aluminum per year for shoes, relatively a drop in the bucket. However, the fundamental thing about this, as well as the ,000 tax clause, is the seeming apathy in some quarters. Denis and Grant Dorland, executive secretary of the NATB, take the sensible stand that possiilities should be anticipated and steps taken in advance combat or control them. AAA Denis and other leaders in the NATB are making a close* study of the turfs public relations, and while they have no crystalized opinions on the subject, we dare say Continued on Page Eleven BETWEEN RACES By OSCAR OTIS Continued from Page Forty-Four that something concrete will be presented for consideration before many months pass. The public relations problems is so complex, and with so many cross currents and eddies, that it is hard to attain a perfect set-up. But there is no doubt that some improvement on present conditions could be made: Whether a turf council, as outlined by Denis, with the prestige and authority to speak out in legislative halls and to the public is the answer, is a moot point. The writer understands that what amounts to such a council, on a state-wide basis only, has been established in one prominent racing sector, and a first-hand report on its operation will be made within six weeks. It is our understanding, however, that the council has been successful beyond all expectations if only for the fact that it provides a round table where differences are settled in private, and a unified front is made to the world, thus precluding public wrangling among factions which make for spicy reading but actually is of no basic or vital importance.
