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• : ~ ■■ ; i . , NASRC Committee Report: PUBLIC RELATIONS Harry J. Millar, New York, chairman; Thomas Closson, New Mexico; A. S. Drew, Louisiana; J. F. Edwards, West Virginia; Zoltan Gombos, Ohio; Allan M. Macleod, Massachusetts. Of late, race track press agents have ad- vanced the theory that there is nothing seriously wrong with thoroughbred racings public relations. This may or may not be true, but no one can quarrel with the fact that there does exist room for improvement. Inquiry among these gentlemen of the press and they are not in the minority who are regularly assigned to cover thoroughbred racing, discloses some dissatisfaction with both racing commissioners and racing associations for what they term a lack of cooperation. As one reporter put it, and I quote, "Star chamber sessions can become habit forming in dealing with the press. Turf writers do not dispute an official bodys right to executive session if frank releases or statements are forthcoming." This would seem reasonable, and such procedure should be given every consideration by the membership of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners. Racing associations also might take heed. Press Relases on Drugging Cases Your committee expresses growing concern over the indiscriminate issuance of press releases relative to stimulation cases. In some- racing localities, private police organizations have taken to issuing spectacular press releases, indulging in self-praise for the way their special agents have exposed a sinister drugging ring. This sort of thing invites formidable headlines and unwarranted space by sensation-seeking editors whose trained minds see betting coups, crooked jockeys and hypodermic needles off in the distance. While on the subject, it may well be that there is too much emphasis placed on. the policing done in racing. No one will dispute the fact that pur sport has piled up an enviable reputation for cleaning its own house. The work of some of our policing agencies is worthy of commendation, but too many magazine articles and feature stories glorifying their exploits becomes a matter for conjecture. We must not convey to those not familiar with Thoroughbred Racing that our tracks are crawling with spurious characters seeking refuge from the law. And I use that term "Thoroughbred Racing" advisedly. It might be well for all of us when talking of our sport to refer to it as Thoroughbred Racing, not "the runners" or "the flats," but Thoroughbred Racing; that is the identity we really do want. This committee is well pleased with the strides made by race track management throughout the country in improving its relations with such organizations as the Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association, the American Trainers Association and. the Jockeys Guild. This genuine attempt by all parties concerned better to understand their mutual problems can only reflect credit on our sport in the eyes of the public and state governments who look upon good labor relations as good administration. Television continues to gain in popularity and is no doubt responsible for making countless new friends and fans for racing. Americas top equine TV star continues to be Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilts great champion, Native Dancer. This gray son of Polynesian is without question racings top "box office attraction and a romantic charger to countless millions to whom he is an occasional Saturday visitor in their homes. His is the greatest single contribution to Thoroughbred Racings program of public rela- tions ta come over the horizon in many a moon. In the May 31 issue of Time magazine we came across this interesting observation. I quote: "Racing lives in constant worry of anti-betting moralizers and of the legis-, lators who write the tax laws." This quotation again brings to our attention that ominous warning we have been hearing down through- the years. Excessive taxation will always be a threat to our great industry, and to , this membership must be entrusted the task of alerting our legislators to the dangers of throttling a most important source of revenue to our respective states. * Before closing this report, your committee would like to refer to the fact that there afe some of our members whose opinions are entitled to the highest respect not only by this committee but by those of you. who believe that this association is in no way concerned with the public relations of racing. The committee recognizes the fact that the public relations of the licensed associations are the relations of business corporations presumably interested in obtaining the greatest reasonable return from their operations. At the same time, your Com-mitte would like to point out that in all the states where pari-mutUel wagering is a part of thoroughbred racing, the state is a partner in the business conducted by the li-. censed "associations, and in some of the states is the senior partner. For that reason, while it probably, is not in. order for the association to "thump the tub" for the purpose of drumming up business for the tracks, it seems to this committee that it becomes our clear duty to see that nothing is done to damage or even jeopardize the business in which our sovereign states have so considerable a stake. For that reason, your Committee believes that public relations are and should continue to be the concern of this association. Your chairman of this committee, in conclusion, would beg the indulgence of the convention to offer his personal congratulations to the honorable J. F. Edwards, chairman of the West Virginia Racing Commission and his distinguished colleagues for the adoption by the West Virginia Commission of Rule Number 60 which forbids thoroughbred racing in their state on Good Friday. So saying, I bid you all a very pleasant good morning and thank you.
