The Washington critic., 1888-01-07
IMPROVING IVY CITY
A Review of the Years Work al
The Track
WHAT REMAINS TO be DONE.
The Place to be Made q t'irst-Ciaas
Horse Haven.

AAbiNt lANNNI
The report Of Mr.. T. -. McGuIfc.
president of the National Fair Associ.
ation which will be submitted 10 tho
stockholders on Monday. will show
that the receipts for the year 1857
were $40, ,20j.63, and the expenditures
S4, ,2i0.63, leaving balance ot 1855.
The report is a complete yindicaiion
of the course taken by TIN Cnuic
early last spring, when IL criticised
the condition Of the stables AMI
pointed out the imperative necessity
of fitting up new Stables or repairing
the old ones. The report says. Dur
ing last winter a large number Of
racing stables wintcrcd upon the
grounds Of the association. The ST..
we're and inclemcnt weather demon
stratcd that considerable repairs tothc
roofs and stables were necdful in or
der to put them in habitablc condi-
ton The repairs were made with re-
gard to economy and comfort, and to
the satisfaction of the people using
them.
Upon the opening of spring a thor
ough examination of the condition of
the stables and other buildings was
made, with view of placing them in
thorough repair and condition for oc-
cupancy. This examination showed
that the posts and weatherboards next
to the ground were in an advanced
state of decay, the posts III many in
stances being nearly rotted Off. The
roofs were in bad condition, many
of them sagging, and all in leaky
and dilapidated state, requiring quite
an extensive outlay in order to with
stand the elements and give protec-
ton to horses stabbed therein. These
repairs were made, and an application
of whitewash dressing given them
and other buildings and fences, inn
parting to all clean and neat appear
ance.
1t was found necessary, in order to
afford protection and comfort to horses
wintering upon the grounds of the
association, to make extensive repairs
to two of the stable buildings. These
repairs consisted of timing roofs, con-
structing cutters, painting the same,
and other minor ones.
The main brick building, formerly
used as an exhibition hall, was found
| to be in condition demanding seri-
Gus consideration in order to preserve
it. The pillars supporting the i'm
mense weight of the roof had entirely
rotted away where they rested upon
| brick piers, between the floor and the
ground. To place this building in con-
dition suitable for use required large
| expenditure of money. The financial
| condition of the association was such
as to demand that so large an eX-
| penditure of money should be for a
building of permanent use. The rapid
decay and deterioration of the frame
stables constructed of perishable ma
terial, and the future wants of stabling
| capacity and facilities, warned the
management that additional accom-
| modations would soon need to be pro-
| vided.
This being apparent, and believing
| again be used for the purpose for
which it was constructed, it was de-
termined to convert it into first-class
measures were taken during the past
summer, and the transformation has
| brought forth n useful and commo-
dious stable, unsurpassed in the United
States, whether owned by an associa-
ton or private individuals. 1t con-
tains forty-eight box stalls, ~ by II
feet, built of dressed lumber sealed,
with sliding doors and all of the APP
proved appliances; water introduced
and drainage arranged so as to conduce
to every convenience and comfort.
The investment in this stable is one
of permanency, and judiciously made.
The cost was S2,36S.42, and had not
this improvement been made, the
building would soon have been total
loss to the association.
POOL SHED AND LAWN.
The popularity of racing meetings,
under the auspices of the Jockey
Club, and the great increase in attend
ance of the citizens of Washington
and from abroad, give strong evidence
of the permanency of the club. The
accommodations furnished ut the
pool lawn and shed proved wholly in
adequate. The only source from
which the association derives any sub
stantial revenue being from the meet
ings conducted by the club, and q
large amount of that revenue being re-
ceived for privileges enjoyed in these
quarters, the management, as in the
case of providing additional stable ac-
commodations, concluded that more
commodious and permanent pro-
visions should be made. Plans were
matured and carried into effect, and
the pool shed was enlarged l50XS2
feet. This structure is of a substantial
character, with tin roof and plank
flooring. Ample drainage arrange
ments were also made for the
grounds.
GRAND STAND.
Considerable renewing of plankinl
on the platform fronting the stand
was done during the early part of the
season. During the spring meeting
however, weakness Of the platform anC
steps in front developed to such al
extent as to require u most careful
survey. 1t was found that time ant
dry rot had done their work in killing
the life and vitality of the lumber
A large number of the stringers and {
portion of the flooring had to be re
newed and the old steps had to b'
taken down. In their reconstruction
they were more advantageously ar
ranged and enlarged. A new Office
for the secretary and weighing-room
have been provided on the lowe
floor at the eastern end. A ladies
toilet and waiting room was also con
structed ON the upper floor. On tht
opposite side of the track and facinl
the stand new "indicator" ha'