The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-19
RACE MEBr ABANDONED.
Not Enough Of Entries TO Warrant
the Promoters 10 Conducting
II Next Week.

After expending a sum approximate
ing $4,000 renovating its buildings and
making its track as good and fast as
any half-mile circle In this part of the
country, the Scranton Driving Park
and Fair association is obliged to aban-
don the circuit races which have been
extensively advertised for next week.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
This decision was reached last night
and it seems to have been about the
only thing to do, as only thirty-seven
positive entries had been made in nine
event. which would average but four
horses to each class, not figuring in
those that in all probability would be
scratched.
Scranton had been made q part of the
New York and Pennsylvania circuit.
Early In the season the prospect for a
successful spring meeting seemed
bright and the association proceeded to
spare neither money nor effort in ar
ranging to have the affair eclipse in
crowds, In accommodations for horses
and in all else that goes with success
ful trotting meeting at the races at AL
lentown, Bethlehem and Binghamton,
the other cities on the circuit
To Tribune reporter J. A. Fritz, the
secretary and treasurer of the associa-
tion. said last night that the associa-
tion proposed to arrange for a fall
meeting and to increase the values of
the purses to s400 each.
NOT ENOUGH OF ENTRIES.
Tuesday night was the time designat-
ed for the entries to close, but 1t was
then seen that the number Of horses en-
tered would not warrant the races be-
ing given and the time-limit was ex-
tended until yesterday afternoon. The
telegraph wires were kept busy in an
effort to swell the list, but thirty-seven
positive entries was the best that could
be done and so the meeting has been
abandoned. The horsemen who were
expected to be here were notified by
wire not to come.
The meeting was advertised by cir
cular and by the customary method in
the turf papers. The failure to secure
entries Is ascribed to Scranton's new
ness in the circuit and to its remoteness
from other cities where races were to
follow.
TO those horsemen who had made en-
tries and knew of the good financial
backing to the meeting and the i'm.
provements made at the track, the
abandonment will be q great disap-
pointment. Such well-known men as
Walter NJ. Jermyn, president; NJ. D
Brown, vice-president; j. A. Fritz, sec.
retary and treasurer; James Mears, 10.
seph Jermyn and c. H. Schadt, Of the
board Of directors. were directly inter.
ested In the success or failure of the
undertaking. The disappointment II
particularly provoking to them because
Of the large outlay that had been made
The park property was practically
made over anew.
TRACK WAS VERY FAST.
Constant care had been given thu
track for months. with the result that Il
was thought to4e nearly two seconds
faster than the 1aast track In the cir
cult
over $1,000 was expended In remodel
ing a stable eOxl5b feet Rnd equipplrs
it with large, airysand light box stalls
for the sole 1se Of horses with engage.
ments. No tack in this state had beer
better equipped fer aiarge and success.
full meeting.