Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-27

Talk Of Merging The National Fair Al.
sOciatiOn In II.
THE ADVANTAGES CLAIMED OF SUCH AN AR
RANGENENr TO BOTH ORGANIZATIONS


The project of putting the National Jockey
club organization upon a better footing is in
ferestiag many of the members. The National
Fair association, which purchased the Ivy City
grounds and fitted them up, owns the property.
The attempt TO establish an annual fair and exhi.
bition here, which would assume national char
aeter and Importance, proved a failure. The fair
grounds property would have turned out poor
investment had 1t not been for the organization
ington could be made an attractive and success
ful meeting point for racing. and the Jockey
club was organized, many OF the stockholders
OF the Fair association taking an active part
therein. The club has been unusually successful
and the leetest running horses of the country
are entered to compete for its prizes twice a
year; The Fair association continues to main
tain Its organization, though all idea of endeav-
Oring to make any use of the grounds except for
racing purposes has been abandoned. The re-
ceipts of the Jockey club furnish the only reve-
nue.. Only owners of stock can belong to the
Fair association, while any person of good stand
ing, who is willing to pay twenty-five dollars a
year for the privilege, can be q member Of the
Jockey club. The receipts of the Jockey club
are applied, through the Fair association, to the
payment Of interest on the debt of that associa-
ton and TO the improvement of the grounds.
1t requires about $4,000 per year to meet the
interest on this debt 1t has been urged that
it was useless TO maintain two organi-
cations under the circumstances, and year or
so ago the suggestion was made that the Fair
association be merged into the Jockey cluo;
bat some of the stockholders were unwilling to
dispose of their stock. They held that the Ivy
City property is sure to increase in value no
matter whether it be continued as a race course
or not, and regarding their stock as a good in
vesunent they expressed a preference to hold
on to 1t. Now the suggestion is revived, and it
is approved by some OF the most active and in
fuential members Of both the Fair association
and the Jockey club. There seems to be gen.
ersl desire TO put the club upon the surest prac-
ticable basis, and at the coming annual meet
ing the best methods of accomplishing this will
be discussed. OF course, should the assent OF
holders of fair stock be procured to any plan
for merging the two organizations into one
that plan would have to provide for
payment for any stock which holders
might see fit to relinquish. 1t would also be
necessary to obtain an amendment to the char
ter through the action of Congress. The scheme
has not yet progressed far enough to warrant
the completion Of details. One idea of those
who urge it is that the buildings on the grounds
could then be utilized. AS it is, those excellent
buildings are of no use whatever. They belong
to the Fair association, and not to the Jockey
club. They could at com parativey little expense,
SO 1t is said by persons who have looked into the
matter, be converted into excellent stables.
The rough frame stables now in use Will have
to be replaced before great while, and, as
matter Of economy, 1t is urged that the brick
buildings on the grounds ought to be utilized.