The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-12
III WIN IID THE sTfRTER.

New Local Automatic Device That j.
Said to Rival Gray . Australia II Machine.
That starting machines will come into
general vogue in running races seems to
be reasonably certain, now that the de-
vice has had a successful trial. on Mon
day last an apparatus. differing some
what from the Gray australian ma
chine in use in California, was tried at
New Orleans and still another OF these
mechanical aids to the starter is now in
position at Shecpshcad Bay and Will
have a thorough test probably within
couple of weeks.
This last-named apparatus is the inven-
ton of Mr.. Sullivan. OF New York. 1t
Is called the American Starting Ma
chine Frank r. Clarke. superintendent
of the Sheepshead Bay track, has already
brought IL TO the attention OF members
of the Jockey CLUB he states that he
hopes to have il i1 operation al the Ben
nings meeting. and later at all the meet
ings i'm the vicinity of New York. This
machine was patented I'm 1892. IL was
tried al Maspeth, l.. l., last summer. sue
cesslully it's promoters say, although
they assert that some bOOkmakers raised
objections for obvious reasons. Mr.. Sulli-
van claims that his device possesses all
the desirable features Of. and has some
advantages over. the Australian appa-
ratus. IL is distinct from the Aus
tralian machine. and is operated ON an
entirely different principle
MIR. Grays apparatus consists Of two
narrow strips OF webbing etched across
the track few inches apart and carried
away from and above the horses ON an
inclined plane by means of rubber bands.
The chief objection TO il Is that there APP
pears TO be always a possibility that a
fractions horse might get tangled up in
the strips of webbing For example Ia
might get his head or one Of his legs
through them
This disadvantage It is claimed. Is en-
tirely obvated i'm SIR sullivan's patent.
The barrier is four feet wide and four
feet from The ground il consists Of light
bamboo rods attached 10 cords or ropes
stretched across the track At the sides
TINS barrier is fastened 10 arms which are
hung to the upright posts ON pivots,
Strong rubber bands extend from these
arms 10 stationary braces at the top Of
the upriehts, SO that when the barrier
is released by means Of "A trigger IL is
rapidly Thrown outward and upward,
away from the horses.
In q false start the inventor claims
there would be no danger of the horses
receiving any injury whatever from the
barrier II two or three horses ran
against the barrier. it would yield 10 the
pressure. ind would finally Slide up and
over the heads OF the animals if they
persisted IN pushing against 70. BY the
method of operation il is also asserted
that the apparatus would prevent false
or bad starts The starter will occupy
a position midway between The horses and
the machine. which latter VIII be operated
NV cal n f.f q al ID
evenly tho starter will drop his flag. his
ASSISTANT viii release the barrier. and the
horses viii be of. If, however. 10 should
be false break. the barrier viii not be
released, but viii simply serve 20 prevent
the horses from running out I'm front.
The entire apparatus is light and simple
OF construction. The uprights can be at
tached TO the fence posts at the points
where me starts are 10 be made. while
the barrier itself weighs not more than
hfte"n or twenty pounds.-New York
Herald