The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-04
THE HELENA ASSOCIATION.

Its Affairs in Bad Shape and Should be
Settled without Delay.
Unless the existing differences between
the membe of the Montana Agricultural,
Mineral and Mechanical association are
speedily fixed up, the outlook for a season
of racing in Helena will be very discourag-
ing. 1t is we'll known that personal differ
ences existed in the membership of the
West Side Racing association. but they have
ali been amically arranged. An entire new
directory now has charge of the affairs,
with Whit Raymond, Of Belmont Park,
president and Chas. s. Eltinge, secretary.
Lee Mantle and j. b. Read still retain pos
session of the race track, but they have
leased it to the association for a period Of
twenty years, the association to make all
the Improvements required.
The difficulties in the Helena association
are in a worse shape than ever. The trouble
arose out of the sale of treasury stock
holders not in the ring objected to the
proceeding and a suit is now pending in
court to investigate the manner in which
this stock WAS disposed of. Owing to the
great number of cases preceding this one,
it is not likely that it will be reached this
year. Meantime the associations twenty
year franchise has expired by limitation
and before anything more can be accom-
plished n reorganization will have to be eff
fected. There is a wide breach between the
directors and stockholders and neither side
has as yet made any efforts toward a com
promise.
For the good of Helena, however, some
thing should be done without delay. Sec
rotary Pope Is all Mt sea, and has done
little or nothing as yet towards arranging
for the coming season. The situation il a
serious one and the men who have stood by
the pioneer and foremost racing and fair
association for the past twenty years
should have too much pride in its welfare
to permit it to go by default this year.
There is one thing about the Helena as,
sociation. 1t is not supported by million
aires like the Butte and Anaconda tracks.
The money for purses has always been nd.
yanced by the members themselves and no
assistance has ever come from the business
community. Reorganization will be n ne
cesslty and it is to be hoped that Helena
will continue to be in the lead, as it has IN
the past, and not allow its of%fsprirgs to ex-
Gel it.
There is a difference of opinion in Hell
ena regarding the decision of the board of
review of the National Trotting association
IN the case of Tongue VS.. Kirkendall.
While the decision went against the Helena
man, 1T is not believed to be a valid one
1t was simply IN ex-paEte decision. Mr.
k~irkendalfs side of the case was nevel
heard. He intends to present his evidences,
however, and a change of the decision j,
expected. The decision was made, o,
course, from the evidence given, but that
evidence was only on one side of the case
Secretary Pope is of tho opinion tina,
there IL no ground for n contest. inuurs
tlonably Wlands had leased the racine
qualities of Lady Maxim, the same as Kir
kendall hnd leased Homestake. Tint witt
the presentation of document and nfiidav
its is prima facie evidence of n change q
ownership for the life of the lease.
The rule laid down nv this decision woul,
undoubtedly be an arbitrary one, as i
would not permit of an owner starting NOR
than one horse IN n race. There are man,
horsemen. not anxious to bear the burdeI
OF entrance fees, but who ARE anxious 10 Nc
cure records for their horses. who lease ia,
racing qualities of their horses to secon,
PARTIES. This presents no valid reason VIII,
the horses should not staff together in
race.
Marcus DAILY has two drivers for hi
horses. which will make Il tour of tho Mon
tana circuit. Montana turf patrons viii