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, N. Y. Legislative Body Issues Warning to Build New Track Requests Modern Plant or t Face Use of Alternative Methods to Obtain One SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y., Aug. 27. The joint legislative committee on horse : racing bluntly warned New York City area . racing associations to provide "a : modern race track" soon or face the possibility 1 of "alternative methods" being taken to get one. "A modern race track, in the view of the i committee, is long overdue," senate majority , leader Arthur H. Wicks said following : an executive session of the committee which he heads. Wicks said the committee would make "one final effort" to induce existing racing ; associations to provide a new track and, if that fails, "other means of getting the track will be given immediate consideration." No explanation of the "other means" was given. However, there are two existing steps that could be taken. The state legislature could, under law, increase the number of tracks allowed to operate, probably adding one. Also, the New York State Racing Commission, which has licensing powers over the tracks, could refuse to renew a current license and grant it to another association. Wicks statement recalled that the committee has been trying for two years to persuade existing associations to "rebuild, modernize or replace, their presently inadequate and outmoded plants." Should Consider Pooling Interests As one way of doing this, the committee suggested that several of the associations consider pooling their interests and financial resources. The Queens County Jockey Club, which owns the Aqueduct track, Metropolitan Jockey Club, which owns Jamaica, and Empire City Racing Association, which operates at Jamaica, set up committees about a year ago to investigate the matter. "While this group of track representatives has spent considerable time and money in an endeavor to formulate a plan for a new, modern race track, it has not been able, despite a years consideration of the problem, to produce any tangible results," Wicks said. "The failure of the track associations to come forward with any definite or concrete plan for building a modern race course is a matter of great disappointment to our committee," he continued. "For the protection of the state interest in racing revenue ; and to assure the continuance of racing as a sport in New York State, it is imperative that our committee consider other alterna-1 tive methods of getting a new track built." In its reports this year and last, the legislative committee stressed the need for I a modern track to improve facilities for patrons and to avoid the possibility of a rival track appearing in neighboring New I Jersey, which would cut into New York I State revenue. ; Wicks also disclosed that the committee ; had received a four-page telegram from , mayor Vincent Impellitteri.urging the group I to recommend legislation restoring the full 5 per cent local tax on pari-mutuel revenue for New York City. The telegram will receive the committees I "full consideration," Wicks said. I The committee, at its closed session, was j reported to have taken no action on the j first "concrete" plan it has received for ; statewide off-track betting. i j. Exploring Possibilities of New ; Track, Association Heads State By BOB HORWOOD Staff Correspondent SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y. Aug. 27. j Following the release of todays state- j ment by the Wicks Committee, John A. j Morris, president of Jamaica race track, said that the heads of that association, j Aqueduct and Empire City had been earn-j estly exploring the possibility of a new and j adequate race track in metropolitan New York for several years. Morris revealed j that plans for a "dream track" had been prepared by the engineering and architectural firm of Stone and Webster in 1950, . which were adaptable to any site. This project, which included such luxuries as a swimming pool for the stable help, would 5 have cost 5,000,000. Morris said that a 1 fully adequate track with seating for 18,000 2 in the grandstand and 7,000 in the club- house, making for a capacity of 75,000, 5 could still be built for some 3,000,000, de-J spite increased building costs. 3 James Butler, who acquired some 300 acres at Baychester, also has had specific 1 plans drawn for a new race track, Morris Continued on Page Forty-Six N. Y. Legislative Body Asks New Track Be Built Wdrns Operators of Necessity; Latter Review Their Efforts Continued from Page Five said. More recently, the engineering firm of Madigan and Hyland prepared a report, comprising several hundred pages, on the three proposed sites, Aqueduct, Jamaica and Baychester,, which has not yet been studied. Morris emphasized that the heads of Empire City, Aqueduct and Jamaica are in accord on the need for a track combining the three associations and are anxious to build such a structure at the earliest possible time, but he added that it was impossible to do so on a take of 4 per cent. Morris said that it might be possible with a return to the track of 5 per cent, but that 6 per cent was really needed. He agreed that a take of 5 per cent to the associations, plus all of the breakage, might serve the purpose. In supporting the tracks need for an increase in the percentage taken from the wagering, Morris pointed out that it would be necessary to borrow one-half of the capital needed to build. The interest charges on 2,500,000 he said, would amount to 25,000 per year, with amortization in 20 years coming to the same figure, a total of ,250,000 to be paid out each year. Morris said that it was contemplated running 108 days each year at the new track, with an anticipated average business of ,000,000 per day. He added that the heads of the three tracks would seek the Wicks Committees approval of the additional revenue soon after Labor Day when a specific site had been chosen, following study of the Madigan and Hyland report. That report, he said, had been prepared at a cost of several thousand dollars. Senator Wicks was also questioned concerning the committee release and said that the "alternative methods" referred to meant that other responsible persons had expressed their willingness to build and operate a racetrack in the metropolitan area. While Senator Wicks declined to name these persons, it is understood that Nat E. Herzfeld.president of Tropical Park, is one of them. Senator Wicks also said that he and his committee were not convinced of the associations need for additional revenue, but would be glad to hear their proposal. He added that it was his assumption that the unidentified persons seeking to build would do so under the present arrangement. The Senate majority leader added that todays, release was not an ultimatum, but reflected the committees urgent desire for an adequate new racetrack in New York state.
