Evening star., 1896-04-09
THE RACING BILL
The Measure Reported to the House by
Mr. 0dell Today.
Pr0visiOns Against BOOkmaking and
Betting In All Forms-Penalties
for Violations.

Mr. Odell Of New York today reported to
the House the bill to permit horse racing
in the District of Columbia. Mr. Odell says
the amendments made to the bill will ef-
fectrally prohibit all forms of gambling at
the race tracks.
The bill authorizes the incorporation Of
racing associations, and the holding Of
races for forty days. between April and
November 30.
At such race meetings the corporation, or
the owners of the horses engaged in. such
races. OF others who are not participants
in the race, may offer or contribute toward
purses, prizes, premiums or stakes to he
contested Ior, but no person OF persons
other than the owner or owners of horse
or horses contesting in the race shall have
any pecuniary interest in the purse, prize,
premium or sWeepStake contested for in
Such race, or be entitled to or receive any
portion thereof after such race is finished,
and the whole of such purse, prize preml-
um or sweepstake shall be allotted in sc-
cordance with the terms and conditions
of such race.
Police Regulations Provided.
Police regulations for the race track are
provided, and it is. stipulated that there
shall be properly posted, in conspicuous
positions upon the grounds whereon such
races are held, printed notices or placards
in large and lesible type, whi:n notices or
placards shall be to the eftec. that all dis
orderly conduct, pool selling, booknaking,
the use of any kind of ,amblin., devices
or the indulgence of any form of gambling
are prohibited"
1t is provided, however that no License
Shall be issued to conduct such races or
race meetings within one mile of the
boundaries of the city of Washington
1t is provided that all racing or trials of
speed between horses or other animals for
any purse, prize, premium or sweepstake
except such as allowed by this act, or by
SPECIAL laws, is a public nuisance; and
making or being interested in such purse
prize, premium or sweepstake is guilty of
a misdemeanor, and. therefore, upon any
conviction thereof. shall pay a fine of net
addition thereto be imprisoned not less than
thirty nor mere than ninety days, at the
discretion of the court
Penalty for Betting.
Any person who, upon any race course
authorized by or entitled to the benefits of
this act, shall make, directly or indirectly,
any bets or wagers on the result of any
trial or contest of speed or power of en-
durance Of horses taking place upon such
race course shall forfeit the value of any
money or property received or held by him
as result of such wager, to be recovered
in a civil action by the person or persons
from whom such money or property is re-
ceived.
This penalty is exclusive of all other PEN
alt1es or punishments prescribed by law for
the acts above specified: Provided, however,
that the occupation Of any room, shed,
booth, tent, boat, ground, either public or
private. or place for the purpose of making
registry or record of bets; the exchanging,
delivering, or transferring therein or at
any other place of record, registry, mem
orandum, token, paper or document Of any
kind whatever, as evidence of any such
hot Iryr
initials. or otherwise Of any record, registry
or memorandum in the possession of any
other person of bet or wager, intended to
be retained by such other person, or any
ether person, or the registry recording of
any such bet or wager In "abulando," as
evidence of such bet or wager, shall be
deemed to be bookmaking or the use of
gambling devices. and punishable as book
making or the use of gambling devices Is
LOW punished.
In the event that the trustees of any
corporation or association created pursuant
to the provisions of the act. or entitled to
the benefits thereof shall comply with the
foregoing provisions. then no trustee or
officer of said corporation shall be person.
ally liable to the imposition of any fine or
to prosecution. or in any other manner held
liable, fol- any violation by any person
other than himself of the provisions of the
law with reference to pool selling, book
making or other forms of gambling unless
knowingly permitted by him; nor shall the
holding or conducting of races thereon
pursuant to the provisions of this act be
construed or held to be violation of any Of
the provisions of chapter forty of the pub
lie act Of the Forty-seventh Congress of
the United States, approved January 81,
1888, or of chapter 497 of the public acts
Of the Fifty-f1rst Congress of the United
States, approved March 2, 1891, or of the
provisions of any penal statute of the Uni
ted States.
1t is provided. however that nothing here
In contained shall be construed to relieve
such corporation or association from any
liability which may exist, either under the
penal statute or the laws of the United
States applicable to corporations and not
herein specially provided for.