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Governor Will Not Sign Pennsylvania Bill as Is Wants Question of Racing Be Submitted at Primary Election Special to Daily Racing Form HARRISBURG, Pa., May 5.— Gov. David L. Lawrence said today he would not sign a racing referendum bill for Pennsylvania voters unless it provided that the question be submitted at a primary election. His decision rules out a vote in November to gauge public opinion on pari-mutuel betting, under terms of a bill now in the legislature. Meantime, the House Ways and Means Committee approved the referendum bill and reported it to the floor for a possible vote soon. It provides only for an opinion vote on the issue of betting on horse races, and would not in itself legalize horse racing in the state. Due to the governors stand today the bill would have to be amender" to specify that the issue be, presented at the polls during a primary election. As now written it would put the question on the November municipal election ballot. "Ill not sign a bill like that," the Governor said. "Put it in the primary and Ill sign it. I dont want it interfering with the issues involved in local elections. However, I dont think its dead. It can be amended." The earliest Pennsylvania could vote on the issue under the governors decision not to permit the referendum in November would be in the spring of 1960. It is too late to get the question on this years primary ballot for the May 19 election.
