New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-24
THE NEW RACING RULES.
AN INTERPRETATION OF THEM BY
CHAIRMAN MOTT
NAMES OF

IN PROGRAMMES TRACK OWNERS TO DE
RESPONSIBLE FOR PRIZES OFFERED
ny PHoMoTERs- PROTECT
THE AMERICAN RIDER.
baltimore March 23-Albert Mott chairman o'
the I. A. W. Racing Board. has issued the following
analysis and comments upon the new racing rules
for 1888:
I'm considering regulations for an athletic sport
there are many conflicting interests and 80 many
special cases that certain features In the rules may
not strike an interested party as being TO his par
/ tcular advantage The rules must he made FOR
the whole United states--for the greatest GOOD 70
the greatest number. The rules are the result OF r
practical knowledge in dealing with the question
from all dlrectons-tha OF the welfare Of the sport
generally from the racing mans standpoint, from
tho landowners standpoint from tho promoter
standpoint and from the spectators standpoint All
these interests must be harmonzei as nearly ms
possible ard from tho fortui;ous circumstance Of
having the evidence record FOR 1897 and dealing
with It practically during the year the Board has
the hest knowledge OF what Is necessary Any
other seven in tho same position would have
had tho opportunity to gain the same practical
knowledge"
Following IS tho object o, some OF the now rules
when a professional makes an application on n
regular blank seven days prior 20 tho date - tho
contests. and thus enables the promoter 10 adver-
;lsc MS attractions the professional may insert in
the entry the name Of tho wheel or tires he rides
and the promoter must then insert the same OPP
poslte his name the score card of the pro-
gramme. Promoters are prohibited from Inserting
the name o. wheel or tires @: amateurs or Of late
entries "
This rule Is IN the interest % promoters. racing
men AMI the public and encourages manufacturers
TO conhne their advertising plans 20 professionals
/ Manufacturers would be encouraged TO hire pro-
fessioral teams. and thus give racing adj
AM.
conditional In their contracts with racing men that
their men shall enter seven iGys prior % a meet.
II they do this the mon cannot hold back 20 the
lag; moment. until tho promoter offers an extra
inducement The promoter viii have seven days
10 advertise ;he public his attractions. by the
operation Of this rule X l. hoped the racing men
will be given employment. me promoter viii not
be- squeezed" and there shall be less temptation
and cleaner sport. The addition Of the entry and
| the registration number TO cards need not
make the cards more bulky.
TRACK RULE
Tracks shall be measured on a line drawn egh-
/ teea inches from a defined fixed and continuous in
/ re- curb or pole: record shall be allowed on
track otherwise measured. A track may be he'd re-
sponslbe FOR any unsanct.oned rac that are run
upon IT, FOR the nondel.very OF prizes for races
| given upon II. and when a track is disciplined for
that any other reason il shall be Ineligible Tor
| racing or training purposes"
/ II will be observed that track may he disci-
plred Tor non-devery OF prizes at discretion. That
! discretion has been found necessary In the eX-
| perlence OF the Board in a very few cases where
| there seemed 10 be collision and suber,uge used
between track-owner and club or promoter to avoid
payment OF prizes 10 the racing men. In few cases
| track-owners have rented their tracks 10 parties
! whom they knew 20 be irresponsible. making them
selves safe by requiring the rent In advance. and
being morally certain that the racing men would
not get their prizes. In such cases the member
! n lfu-r zion dor
the rule and hold the track. In other cases Of
default where it was shown reasonable care had
been use} by the track-owner the track would not
mea the sosTrd' Would use as m95h care possbs
sponsble and depend solely upo.. the gate. and
'rack-owners must Cooperate ~ using ordinary
care in renting their tracks. Tho issuing o. sane
acd as an assyranHe that rasin men were certain
a. re nr1zes fhev worked hard Tor and won and il
should be reasonable assurance 10 them
SPECIAL PERMITS AND CONTRACTS
NO match race exhibition, or any other contest
not described herein shall be run without special
permit Nor more than 900 shall be involved in a
professional purse or prize without special per-
nit except in National circuit meets" Race pro-
motors must not offer nor riders demand or accept
anything IN excess OF the prize promised by the
entry blanks. card or programme. No bonus
or appearance money shall be offered or accepted
No prize can be given in trial heat nor more
in handicap. without special permit Promoters
pacemakine will be permitted by the chairman. at
hs discretion. to employ limited number OF pro-
written contracts submitted for approval, one copy
OF which Is to be flied with the Board
Tho bonus rule Is necessary 10 protect promoters;
and when the word promoters Is used II should
TO Few rich promoters in a few large cities. but
comprises bicycle clubs all over the nIied states
and many individuals In small cities ana owns
VINO conducting bicycle racing as egitimaie
business ors m @ nesS b ara and
Trey are they can give no more race meets. and
Of The rscnE &c S % ef and m wen
fare Of the sport demand that unreasonable ex-
Anothcr object Of the bonus rule is to prevent
the market or American riders from being corneGed
employ all the star riders and in their greed de-
mand aH bc eT Baar3 mst od to- Re
interests az tho sport for al. not simply tor a
S Sea5GGn in tbc course Of time kin Boyle racing
almost entirely. Another object OF the bonus rule
Ing man should have all the incentive possible in
ororaeq in the Prize bI er S %Tn and in std
10 tho spectator who has pau 20 see the race. X
me T@c t are dwared to that extent be
# much or little. At the same tihe, mere IS no
exhibition Win nc prlzc for i! printed in t the pro-
~ The true merits OF all the other contests and the
T5e dividine line between bonus. expenses and
ana promoters with racing men Tor series r
month. Is n delicate one. and must be handled
wisely 10 meet all requirements The changes In
he tracing game" itself make + necessary that
,rack-ovners and associations shall have a Ger
AMY hat there shall be trained pacemakers at
their call Impromptu pacemakng in fniddle-dis-
,orco racing IS never good. and Is always d.sap-
noirti,r - the spectators contracting with rae
t., therefore. he allowed 70 a limited
-, 1u.h,re the privilege Is not abusedD en-
anle track-owners 10 avail themselves Of all the
,..esuic uroducfiveneSs Of earnings or their prop
~, Thev arc permitted to contract with foreign
racing men M l'bitlm "a that docs not corner tie
,-orica, market They are permitted. under the
rIiies only u9-n the approval Of the chairman, 70
contracI with "A limited number of American rae
f,r mao
racing. hut even these must be free 10 enter al
49, ,,oafs when they are rot actually engaged in
- Of The trark-OUners The chairman must
ilao1 n o-r, grip upon this delicate rule and not /
permit It's abus" 70 sD"''''ut'9 ~ 'o'""' TIE |
IL ulu be permitted