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Every Group Separately Organized Bells address reminded us of our own proposal some 13 years ago and whether he, or the Thoroughbred Club, will get any further is doubtful. In his talk he said: "Up to now, race tracks are chiefly concerned with problems of the race tracks, owners are chiefly concerned with the problems of owners, breeders are chiefly concerned with the problems of breeders, and so on down the line. The same holds true for racing officials, trainers, jockeys, blacksmiths, the press and all of the businesses allied with racing. Practically all of the groups I have just mentioned have their own organizations, but what group is truly representative of racing? What organization is directly concerned with the overall welfare of the thoroughbred racing industry? What organization is set up to function for the best interests of the thoroughbred industry as a whole? And what organization actually does function?" Had Bell stopped there he would have given his listeners considerable to think about, but he went on to answer his own questions and the club members seemingly agree with him, for they have now sent out a full copy of the address for everyone connected with racing to read. Answering his own questions, Bell said: "I dont believe there is such an organization. However, there is an organization whose basic structure is such that it could function as a positive and powerful force to serve the best interests of the entire thoroughbred industry. That organization is the Thoroughbred Club of America." We are sorry that space does not permit our quoting Bells speech in full, but he remarked that the club has approximately 700 members, each of whom is affiliated with racing in some manner. This membership represents track management, owners, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, racing officials, the press, jockeys, blacksmiths, f eedmen, insurance men, members of sales organizations, member of rail, motor and freight transportation and many others. The "potential" is there, but whether the plan would work out is another question. There would be opposition in many quarters and the members of the Thoroughbred Club would be reminded that in every state the sport is under the supervision of racing commissioners. We hazard the guess that the National Association of State Racing Commissioners would be one group vigorously opposed to any single organization being designated to coordinate the various factions in racing and breeding.
