The San Francisco call., 1895-12-18
SPECULAT|NG At RACES,
How the Englishman, the French.
man and the American Lose
Their Money.
THREE SYSTEMS COMPARED
End of the De Lacy System in New
York-A Comprehensive Review of
Local and Foreign Methods.

The following communication from an
authority on the various local and Cont
mental systems of specuiating on horse
races will undoubtedly be read with inter-
est:
Editor of Morning Call: Breeders, owners,
trainers, In fact every one who has all interest
in California horses must feel that THE CALL
Is DONG vast amount OF good for them by
battling so vigorously against the downtown
betting-rooms.
In conducting the fight, however, THE CALL
is in error, though jointly with other daily
papers of the country, in calling the places in
which the gam bling is carried on 'poolrooms."
Not pool is sold in any of them, and the
obloquy Is, therefore, undeserved.
There are three distinct methods OF wagering
on races: Pool-seling, strictly American,
though an Irishman was the inventor and the
first to Introduce it; also from the green isle
OF the ocean," auction pools the name given to
distinguish itfrom the French, which is termed
mutual pools and the English book-betting.
The last-named is by odds the Oldest system
and may be said to date from the time when
English racing became established. The book
maker-that is the man who lays against back
ers OF horses-is the main figure, ticket and
sheet writer's, cashier and others being subor-
dinate.
The auctioneer is the active agent in auction
poolselling, with assistants to write tickets and
keep the books. The French system is mainly
carried on by machine which registers the
number OF tickets sold on each horse ana also
the aggregate.
We're auction pools the only system in vogue,
downtown rooms would receive small patron
age, doubtful of doing business enough to pay
the rental. 1t is somewhat tedious, and this is
the only objection that can be offered which
has much weight and that dilatorinesS would
be an etfectual estopper to the business which
is now the cause of so much opposition, and
that so well deserved. that those who conduct
1t and receive large profits are its only sup
porters outside of their victims.
The time required to obtain ticket from
the bookmaker is measured by the space neces-
sary to make one or two marks on card and
handle the money, and tnat is done with such
expedition that a few seconds Will constitute
the delay, unless there be crowd before the
would-be purchaser. Even in that case there
is not long wait, provided there is some push
and energy in the buyer so that a person who
has but a few minutes to spare can make the
investment. With an auctioneer OF the speedi-
est class there is quite delay before the pool is
closed, and then the purchaser may not be able
to get the horse wanted and the price satlsfac-
tory The American method had to give way
to the English on this account, and also from
there being greater profit TO the racing asso-
Citations.
Pool-selling is purely commission business.
Three per cent is the prevailing percentage,
though per cent has been the tax in Califor- |
mia the past season. while it is rare thing
that the bookmaker has less than 10 per cent
the "best of the DEAL" and frequently three
times that in his favor. Even odds, which are |
so manifestly against pettors, do not deter
them from wagering, majority never think /!
ing of the hidden per centum, whereas the |
auction pools with the smaller commission in |
plain view elected q good deal OF gam bling. |
The large percentage of the bookmakers, how !
ever, enables them to pay big sums for the |
and thus the revenue OF associations |
are enlarged and owners of horses directly |
benfited by the increased amounts of purses |
and larger additions to stables.
The difference between bookmaking and |
auction pools In the matter OF revenue to aSso- |
Citations can readily be understood by refer
ence to the receipts of the California State |
Agricultural Society. Previous to 1885 specu-
lation on races was restricted to pools-auction |
and mutuals. The returns from that in 1898 /
was $1O,305 and in 1894 $500. This was OBJ
tanned through return of go per cent of the
gross receipts from the firm which conducted
the pool-selling.
In 1895 it was resolved to admit book. betting,
and for that and pool-selling cash bid OF $16,-
500 was secured, about doubling the receipts
which are not met in auction
pools, and to offset them an increase of money
10 offer in premiums.
Downtown betting-rooms intensity objec-
ionable features without compensation of any
Kind, unless the pecuniary advancement of
hose who conduct them is considered in that
md though the collections from individuals
Ire small, numbers make up for the light con-
,ributions. The facility for getting on" small
sums, which the locality affords, tempts those
who can lily afford to lose, and still worse to
use money which does not belong to them
What can be done with comparative secrecy.
whereas at the raCecOurSe there is publicity
Ind minimum rate which keeps out the
very small fry and that could be enlarged to
he benefit of all, or, at least, those who have
/ legitimate connection with racing and race
courses.
1t is well known that the Wagner move was
made to checkmate the enforcement of the Ell
ert ordinance. One of the leading men in the
downtown rooms asserted that there was no
langer of suppression now and that high
license would be acceptable, as it would re-
trict the business so that 1t would be remu-
leratiye Notwithstanding the cost. The last
assertion is evidently true, as $500 month to
me attorney and large sum paid to another
o conduct the suit, with incr eased emolument
or winning, was only a precau tionary meas
ire liable 10 fail in the purpose, while
license would insure "solid" protection. Ii
,ensed or unauthorized. downtown betting
ooms are sure to end III the passage of laws
which will be on interdict to all racing. This
las been the result in Connecticut, New Jersey
md Illinois; hampered New York associations
o degree that has nearly been complete
'ar, and which in any other locality would
lose.
The teachings of the past are guides for the
uture and it is an idle expectation that marks
california an exception. 1t is an absolutely
afe inference that downtown betting-rooms
viii eventually kill racing and If there is no
vay out of the difficulty than that suggested
y the Chief of Police in THE CALL of Monday,
hat too will end it, so that all the bright pros
ects for the future are merely mirages, Wis
on of splendor, dream, gorgeous and re.
plendent to disappear in clouds.
Fond hopes dashd-
Like poppies spread,