The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-10-02
HOW Ahnnt Thisl

"Wanderer," in the Kentucky
Stock Farm says: "There is no rule
known TO the pages OF the American
or National Association rules so con-
stantly violated as the one in refer
euce to the suppression of time.
Every day, for weeks and months,
that l have been present at trotting
meetings, have l noticed the whole
sale violation of that rule. II that
rule, when made IA part OF the code OF
laws governing speed contests by the
two associations, meant anything
due respect to it should be not only
recognized, but rigidly enforced.
One of the worst features OF sup
pressed time is found in the prejudice
il works to tro.ting-horse breeders.
These breeders, at a heavy expense,
breed ana develop their youngsters
for the purpose of giving them records
in the interest OF Inc sire or the dam.
l know of several instances where
very promising young trotters, owned
and started by breeders, have been
kept from obtaining a record under
2:30 by being beaten by some regular
campaigner, mat by suppression OF
Time has been kept in the same class
meeting after meeting, to the injury
of such good young trOtters and the
| iustifiable disgust of their owners.
1t is slowly, but surely, working
great injury to the general breeding
interests of our country. breeders
are becoming discouraged and in
censed at such corruption in the
| judges stand. Only last week saw
case of time-suppression that richly
merits investigation and the inflctlon
of rigid judgment upon the wrong
doors by the American Association.
| a. 10 70 "
young horse was driven out in 2:2214,
and like q square, hOnest-minded
man, his owner accepted the mark OH
his horse and goes on trying to win
| the race In the second heat break
or TWO renders it impossible for him
to win, but he forces out another
horse in 2:23A. Up into the stand
before the decision is rendered on the
heat PUSHES owner or driver-quite
generally both--and importune the
Judges to call it 2:24A to keep their
horses illegible to the 2:25 class.
They urge the case of possible doubt
as TO the time, and claim the beneht
of the doubt. An earnest friend
among the judges champions their
cause aud tho result is 2:244, when
both official timers watches agreed
exactly on 2:2312, supported by the
petent timer that was in the stand,
1t showing 2:24H. There was no
possible question as to the correctness
Of the time as reported to the judges
by the official timers, but the judges
at once ignore their report and had
the starter announce 1t 2:24A. 1t Is
holding the American and National
Association up to contempt, as well
AZ TO force upon honest, square timers
the condemnation of the public as a
party to such reprehensiblet ransao-
ton. In last weeks case the book OF
the association will show that one OF
the official timers refused To attach
his signature to the record Of that
race in which the time was sup
pressed, but signed it as to the other
Two races of the afternoon. This is
not an isolated case, but one of week
ly occurrence, whenever the bell
sounds.
A prominent western breeder said
, to me a day or two since, citing the
above case, that he would most likely
suffer defeat with a young horse oil
, his owing to the horse i'm the above
, case being left eligible by the judges
: 20 the 2:25 class. He was very much
incensed about the matter and freely
, voiced his displeasure ut such In
Inference to the rules of the trotJing
1T sOciations. From what i have
/ heard recently concerning the above
case, the end is not yet. Common
, justice demands the cessation OF such
/ pernicious methods, the prompt visi-
tation of rigid punishment upon the
} offenders, and protection to those too
honorable to stoop to such a fragrant
/ violation Of the laws OF our two asso-
: | ciationg