Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-28
WANT A GOOD TRACK.
HOrSemen Kicking Against
Exposition Ball Grounds.
Mr.. KERR'S EXPLANATION.
John Wards Opinion About his Law
suit and Contract Jumpers.
MR. KERR'S EXPLANATION,
HEGELMAK STILL IN THE LEAD

There is an interesting controversy be-
tween the present lessees of Exposition Park
and the members of the old Driving Park
Association. A good track is demanded
despite ball grounds. John M. Ward ex-
presses himself regarding his lawsuit and
contract breakers. The final deposit In the
ReillyeO'Grady wrestling match was put
up. Hegelman still leads in the big pedes-
trian contest. President Stern, Of the Gin
cinnati bali club. passed through the city.
An interesting controversy has sprung up
between the members of the old Gentlemen
Driving Park Association and the present
lessees of Exposition Park. so far the con-
troversy has developed the fact that under
any circumstances there will be race track
next year at Exposition Park.
Yesterday afternoon James McAfee, a
well-known local horseman, owner of Iron
wood and Big Ingun, stated to the writer
the case of the old Driving Park Associa-
tion members He said: I'VE are determined
to try and retain a race track in the city despite
the efforts of baseball cranks to utilize every
thing for baseball grounds.
AN IMPORTANT PROVISION.
s'When our association transferred its lease
70 Arbuckle & Co. there was provision made
that the new lessees retain the track in good
condition until the entire five years of the lease
expired. That deed is now or file in the Court
House and can be seen. We intend TO have
the provision thoroughly carried out, and we
may hold a meeting shortly to determine what
~. TC M
reason whatever why we should be deprived of
a track. If the Exposition track is torn up
Pittsburg will be without a track of any kind,
and that will be a nice state of things for city
like this. However, nobody according TO our
agreement has any right to interfere with the
track either for ball grounds or anything else. !"
W. W. Kerr, manager of the track, and
treasurer of the new ball club, was seen on the
matter and he said: II think we did make a
verbal agreement to retain the track in good
condition for the use of the members of the
Geutlemen's Driving Park. But only about
ten of these members bought season tickets
and most certainly we are not going to keep up
3 race track for ten men
JUDGES WILL OPPOSE IT.
'No judge will compel US to do that But
even if there is provision in our lease such as
named, the court wouldsnot sustain il, as horse
racing in this State is illegal. The Sheriff has
legal authority to attach every horse that takes
part in a race, and sell the horse. This is an
old law, and may not be generally known, but
il is on the statute books all the same.
However" continued Mr.. Kerr, 1.-THE track
will not be torn up and doubt whether or not
it will be interfered with. We receive a Ger.
tain amount of revenue from the track every
year and we will, l think, retain il in a cOndi-
tiOn TO still secure that revenue. This, 1 think,
ought to be satisfactory TO those who want to
use the track. The truth is that if plenty of
gentlemen will Duy season tickets the track
will be there Just as good as j: ever was We
have not decided yet where the diamond and
the grand stand for the new ball club will be. I
want it to remain where it is, except putting il
right back to the fence. Mr.. Addison, of Chi
cago, favors this opinion. If this is done, the
home plate can be right outside the track. about
where the front of the center OF the grand stand
is now. The playing that takes place will not
hurt the track, and am in hopes that what
suggest will be done. 1t will be the cheapest
way by far. At any rate, we will, think, keep
the track all right, and by doing SO the ball
ground will not be injured"