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Ohio Senator Opposes Exorbitant Profits Favors Fair Return to Tracks; Author of 44 Extra-Days Bill COLUMBUS. Ohio. May 9. — Senator Ravmond E. Hildebrand. Toledo Republican, today .said he is opposed to race tracks enjoying exorbitant profits." He explained, however, he is of the opinion that race track operators should reap a fair return on their investments and should be able to combat out-of-state competition without being hampered by restrictions within their own state. Senator Hildebrand is the author of a bill that would allow the state racing commission to grant tracks as many as 44 additional days of racing during the Ohio season from April through October if the board deems such action "in the public interest. " The measure is now awaiting action on the floor of the Senate. The Toledo senator declared. "Comfort and convenience of patrons should be uppermost in the minds of track operators. I am against them making exorbitant profits. However. I believe they should make a fair return on their investments. The profits should be secondary, to my way of thinking." Hildebrand admits that his bill is aimed primarily at assisting River Downs in its battle against the threat of the loss of patronage to a new course planned in Northern Kentucky. River Downs draws principally from the Cincinnati area, as would the new track. The measure, as it is now constituted, would apply in counties where there in not more than one thoroughbred and one harness track. It alsp would grant the commission authority to approve additional days to make up for days lost because of unfavorable weather or track conditions
