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► Edward sWithd raws From NASRC Post Deposed Florida Solon Sets = Forth Views on Situation t Leading to Replacement § NEW YORK, N. Y., June 13.— Leo Ed-wards, who was elected president of the jj National Association of State Racing Com- c missioners at the annual convention of that body at Miami Beach last January, r, formally withdrew from that position yes- 5 terday, following the appointment by Gov. ~ Fuller Warren of a new Florida State Rac- *. ing Commission, of which Edwards was £ president. The deposed commissioner dis- j! cussed the situation and set forth his views in his communication to the NASRC, a 4 copy of which he sent to J. Samuel Perl- * man, publisher of Daily Racing Form. C Under the constitution and by-laws of i the NASRQ, Edwards automatically became ineligible to serve as its president when his successor to the -Florida commission was appointed. Meanwhile, the executive committee of the national association will designate a president to hold office until the next convention. The executive committee is composed of the three vice-presidents, Frank Small, Jr., of Maryland, D. Thomas Testa, of Rhode Island and -Dwight Murphy of California; first, second and third, respectively, and Hugh L. Mehorter of New Jersey and Mrs. A. E. Smith, secretary and assistant treasurer. The executive committee will announce its selection shortly. It is generally expected that Small will be the choice. Edwards communication follows: "In January the NASRC bestowed upon me the greatest honor of my career by electing me president of the association. I felt then arid now that, asv a national officer, my perspective on matters affecting racing must be of national scope. During the Florida legislature the Senate and House almost unanimously passed a law which prohibited newspapers from publishing entries, jockeys, weights, odds and other racing information until 1:00 oclock on the day of racing. This law would prohibit any out-of-state newspaper from coming into Florida which contained such racing information until 1:00 oclock p. m. the day of racing. Bill Vetoed by Warren "Hon. Frank Small, Jr., Hon. Earl Moyer, Hon. Tom Testa and Hon. A. S. Drew and other inembers of our association advised me that in their opinion this law would materially affect racing not only in Florida but would encourage the passing of such a law in other racing states. As national president, I shared this opinion and joined with them in leading an all out effort to have this bill vetoed by Gov. Fuller Warren and I feel that because of my- efforts this was vetoed a few minutes before it was to become a law. , "Evidently because of my action against this law my status before the Florida Senate was impaired, and I was- advised by several friends two days before we obtained the governors veto of this bill that unless I withdrew my objection the approval of my appointment would not be confirmed. As national president, I accepted this challenge because I honestly believed that the passage of such a law would be a tremendous blow and detriment to the sport of racing everywhere. Leading such a fight, I naturally encouraged political enemies and •the Senate failed to confirm my appointment and the governor of our state has appointed my successor and when qualified he will take over my office as chairman of the Florida Racing Commission. "Under our national constitution and bylaws when my successor qualifies, a vacancy will occur in my office as president of the NASRC. As your president, I would like all of you to know that I have conducted this office in a fearless manner to the best of my ability, and in compliance with this policy and a desire not to cause any semblance of embarrassment to the national association or any member thereof, I wish to formally tender my resignation to be accepted at such time and in such" a manner as the executive committee shall determine, and in taking this action I sincerely regret that I will not be able, to fulfill the high duties of the office of your president for the remainder of the term for which I was elected."
