Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-03
SIMS DISQUALIFICATION.
A Letter From Referee Mott About
the baltimore Affair.

Ahe AuAtl"OFe
In reply to query sent by him to Albert
Mott, referee Of the inter-city races in Bal
timore July %. when Fred Sims was ruled
off from the Washington team on account
of insufficient residence here, Chief Consul
w. I. Robertson of the District Division,
l.. A. W.. has received the following reply:
BALTIMORE, July 81, 1896
My Dear Robertson:
No protest was made to me, as referee.
by any one against Fred Sims riding in that
race, and certainly no one from Washing
ton Except Mr.. Mexican, manager Of the
local team said anything about it to me,
even in conversation.
Before the team race was called sought
an interview with MIR. Mexican on the
track, while the race meeting was in prog
tesS, ana, as referee of the meeting, official
~ informed him that Fred Sims was NOT
eligible to start. l also informed him thar
the decision was from the chairman of the
racing board. | requested him not 10 pre-
sent Fred Sims at the tape. stating that 1
could not possibly let him ride and that RI
present him under the conditions Of a do
clslon by the chairman OF the racing beard
that he was not eligible, would be not only
dehance of the chairman, but would be
disagree able for the referee and Illuminating
to the rider. Nevertheless Mr. Mexican did
present him, and l decided him not eligible
10 run, even under protest. / could not con-
scientiously do anything else :lnder the
rules, and my own personal knowledge of
the details concerning Fred Sims Residence
IN the official interview above mentioned
with MIR. Mexican he asked me If Mr. Gid
&c decision was based on protest from
Washington. and l told him 1t was not
also told him how the decision was brought
about-ihat 1t was the natural result of an
inquiry made from Baltimore as to Fred
SIMS ellglblllty to ride in team of a Bal
tmore club. A decision being asked an
that point naturally brought up Mr.. Sims
STATUS In any team race, and it was found
that he was not eligible for any team.
VIII add that, as referee / should not
nave permitted Fred Sims to ride in anv
team race, at that time, whether he was
protested or not. or whether the chairman
OF the racing board had given his decision
or not. When l act as referee, and abso-
lutely know facts of my own narsona1
knowledge that make any rider Ineligible
rom any cause. to ride in any race, | shall
not permit him to start even under Dro
test. II the majority of the executive boa rd
agree with my opinion as they did in 1bis
case. (See track rule - l shall dis,ualifv
any competitor for the event of whom +
am personally cognzant' Of being dis,malj
ned by facts. (See track rule No. IL I
have only the racing rules and nv own CIV
perience (active on the track and in the
legislation for the SPORT and Judgment
based on that experience to guide me and
l VIII execute the office strictly in accord
ance, faithfully and ccnscientiouslv oIwa1s
having in view that l must be certain If
NY ground or suffer the humiliation of a
reversal of decision on an appeal to the
national racing board. 1 shall determine
all questions of fact crack rule u whan I
Know them beyond peradventure, but viii
permit competitor to ride under protest.
the facts to be discovered afterwarl where
there Is a reasonable doubt
Il will also add, in justice to our chic,
consul, that when acting as official referee
L am only responsible to the national rae
ing board Ito whom all appeals sh he
senD, and not to our clever, kind. intalli-
gent and fair chief consul. Mr. Conway W
Sans. Respectfully and truly yours.
ALBERT MOTT"