The evening world., 1894-04-25
CROKER INTERFERES.
Jerome Park Will Be Used for
Races, Not for a Reservoir.
His Partner, Mike Dryer, Will
Open It Ju:y 4.
Chance to Boom Eastern Races and
the Yearling Market.

BY the grace of Richard Croker there
will be racing at Jerome Park this sea-
son. Michael f. Dwyer. his reputed, IL
not his actual partner. in his racing
ventures, has secured the old saddle
bags track, and, beginning July 4. there
will be racing during July and August
on alternate days with Brighton Beach.
1t was the intention OF the Aqueduct
Commission to acquire the Jerome Park
site for a storage reservoir at once.
Engineer Fteley decided that basin
with a big capacity was necessary to
meet emergencies, on account Of
the constantly increasing demands on
the water-supply system.
The Commission acted promptly and
decided to have proceedings instituted
FOR the condemnation of jerome Park.
the location Of the property, and 1t was
expected that the title to II would pass
to the city soon but unfortunately Mr..
Croker's racing interests interfere with
the plan. and the public interests must
wait.
Croker must have a place to run his
horses, even II the people have to go
ceedings VIII therefore not be brought
FOR the present, and probably not at all
II the race track proves to be more I'M
Mayor Giiroy and Public Works Conn
missioner DAILY. who are ex-ofiicio menu
bers of the Aqueduct Commission, were
indignant when the majority voted to
condemn Jerome Park for reservoir.
The significance of their opposition was
not apparent then.
1t is important to Croker to have q
great deal of racing in the East. The
price of thoroughbred horses has depre-
ciated at least % per cent on account
Maryland and the District Of Columbia.
The closing OF the New Jersey tracks
last Winter has thrown a thousand race
| the business of breeding rlcehorses, hav-
ing half-interest In the Belle Meade
Stock Farm. As is also well,known. he
the State of New York. he can earn
more money with his stable of race
Now the people understand why they
Mayor Gilroy said this morning that
b@ wons bSy be
property outright. The Aqueduct Com
mission would consider the matter to-
day. and tn, the deal would probably be
the price agreed upon.
Some time ago Peter F. Meyer,
partner in the asssSn and nd real
Jerome Park site. but the deal fell
through. Meyers offer and the fact that
Dwyer has now secured a lease OF the
track make plain Croker's connection
with the scheme.
The fact that the city Is going to buy
the property is not considered an evil
dence of good faith that the intention of
the Aqueduct Commissioners will be
carried out. Care was taken that
Dwyer got the lease before the sale.
Care will no doubt also be taken to
protect the leaseholder's interest. and IL
the city comes into possession Of the
property right away the city of New
York will be in the racing business.
Furthermore, construction Of the
reservoir will be delayed at least a year
by reason of the existence of the lease.
, Racing will not be over until the end of
August, and 1t will then be too late
to begin operations on a work Of such
! magnitude.
| NJ F. Dwyer is the President of the
, New Jersey Jockey Club and the dates
to be used at Jerome Park are the same
as those the Monmouth Park Association
would have used II permitted to have
racing at Monmouth.
This deal would also indicate that
there will be no change in the dates or
iginally held by the racing associations
under the new rules.
A deal by which the grounds Of the
Huntington Fair Association will also
pass into the hands of turfmen will
probably be consummated. Should the
deal go through SOS 200 will be spent In
constructing a mile track.