The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-24
RACING RULES.
Hobbies and Licensing Of
Drivers Discussed.

New York, Feb. 23.-The special con
gress Of the National trotting associa-
ton convened here today. National
President P. P. Johnston presided. The
congress was called TO consider the pro-
priety Of modifying certain rules affeo-
ting the question Of hopples and the IL
cersjng Of drivers.
Among those present were David
Bonner Of this city. a member Of the
national board Of review; Col. c. H.
Page of Philadelphia, R. L. Allen Of
Joliet, ILL.,. George w. Archer of Roch-
ester, y. Y. ". Bowerman of Lexing-
ton. Ky, Edward Upton, New York.
and W. p. Fasig. New York. as we'll as
a number Of we'll known patrons of the
trot1ing turf.
The first business transacted was the
rendering of tha report of the commit
tee on credentials, and IS delegates
were seated. Then followed the report
Of the committee on rules, which was
reported by the secretary Of the COM
mittee. r. I. Allen. of Joliet, Ill. II had
reference TO section two of rule nine,
which provides that horses wearing
hopplss shall not be eligible to start
IN races on grounds of members after
Jan. I. 1899
II was desired to alter this section by
substituting the words unless other
wise stated for the words after Jan.
/, 1899"
Edward Upton of New York. pro-
tested. He said that hopples were IN
signify, dangerous and calculated to de-
precaCe the value Of good horses. A
minority report was lost by a vote OF
% TO y. W. 5. Fasig moved that the
whole clause with reference to hopples
be eliminated from the rules. An ami
mated discussion followed. Mr.. Fasig's
motion was lost by vote of sc against
~ The report OF the rules committee
as substituted was then adopted. Elm
nations and substitutes We're made and
inserted IN the phraseology of section 1
OF rule a, relative to drivers and their
licenses, It was decided that instead of
license the driver wear "colors."
Il was decided TO abolish all rules in
the approved book of rules relating
TO the carrying Of licenses by drivers.
In section 6 OF rule q. the words
together with the horse shall be sus-
Ava -ADN AESS Nldl one wear or
snail De expelled" were substituted for
the words shall be expelled"
This section as it existed before to-
gay, and which has been regarded as
one OF the most important in the book
ot approved rules by turfmeu. was as
totIoWs- II the judges believe that a
morse IS being or has been ridden oy
IItNeu IN otHer respects improperly at
any time during the continuance ~
the race with a-design TO prevent his
winning heat or place which ne Was
evidently able to win. or TO pernatrsts
or ald fraud. they shall have me
power TO substitute a competent and
reliable rider OF driver for the remain
der or the race. who shall be Maid al
the discretion of the judges. not more
tnan % peg cent of the amount award "a
the horse in the race, and the nen1b hers
may retain the amount paid from the
purse, II any. which said substituted
rider or driver may win: and if the "a
suit Of the race shall demonstrate that
a fraud was being perpetrated. all ms
guilty parties so implicated shall be ex.
PEELED
In rule 2S, sections l. ? 8, 4 and Q
with reference to the licensing Of riders
and drivers, were declared abolished
The recommendations Of the COMMITTEES
on rules, TO the effect that the provi
slons az sections 1 and > Of rule a.
with reference TO timers and bar
time, be not enforced, was Unanimously
agreed upon. Section 3 Of the last rnpr
toned rule. which read time made on
non association tracks shall be records
or bars. as the case may be. the same
as ii made over association tracks .
was abolished and the following sub
sutute agreed upon: Any public raca
at less Than one mile or exceeding halg
q mile, shall be regarded as irregular.
and time made i'm any such race shall
create bar"
On ire motion Of George W. Archer
of Rochester. y. Y. the recommans5-
ttons and substitutes as a whole We're
approved