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Snyder Group Granted Tentative Hamilton Dates Cleveland Attorney Sole Owner Of Three-Year Lease on Plant COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 9.— William F. Snyder, Cleveland attorney, has " been tentatively granted approval of August 15-September 5 and October 8-October 29 for two 19-day meetings of running races at the Butler County Fair Grounds track, Hamilton. The State Racing Commission acted swiftly on Snyders application after he informed the board that he had purchased the remaining three years of a five-year lease on the half-mile track from the Ohio Sports Enterprises, Inc. Snyder told the board that he is the sole owner of the lease and that he had paid 0,000 for the privilege of conducting running" races at the Butler County course through 1957. The attorney identified himself as the lone stockholder in the new organization to be know as Hamilton Raceway, Inc. He listed three directors: himself, Carter H. Donohoe, another Cleveland attorney and W. Howard Pierce, Cleveland accountant- Snyder said he is president and secretary of Hamilton Raceway, Inc., with Pierce treasurer. Offices, will be in the Union Commerce Building, Cleveland. The Ohio Sports Enterprises, Inc., operated running races at Hamilton annually from 1940 through 1954. However, the Commission did not act on an application for 1955 dates from this group. Chairman Zoltan Gombos and Commissioner Otto G. Elliott voted in favor of granting Snyders organization tentative approval of the two 19-day meetings. Commissioner Thomas Lloyd did not vote although he indicated that he favored withholding tentative sanction. Another commissioner, Robert Hoffheimer, was absent. Snyder said two Ohio track operators, Leon Slavin and Saul Silberman. had pledged to offer their advice and counsel in the new operation. However, a few weeks ago, Slavin told Daily Racing Form: "I want nothing to do with Hamilton." The Hamilton Raceway prexy declared that Me plans to install a full "tote," with a complete cenerfield board, and also will enlarge the track to five furlongs. After the public meeting, the commissioners huddled with Snyder but the matters under discussion were not revealed.
