The times., 1899-08-29
RACES NEAR WASHINGTON.
Interest in "a Projected Sport
ing Resort on the Bay.

If present plans do not miscarry there
will be in operation next winter on Chesa-
peake Bay, near this city, a resort that to
the man of sporting proclivities is likely
to be the most attractive establishment of
its kind in America. This will be nothng
more nor less than a palatiaI winter hotel.
with speculative attachments in the form
of high class racing and high class gam
ing similar TO that which rebounds 10 the
prosperity of Saratoga in the summer sea-
son. That the enterprise has weight and
character is shown by the status of the men
connected with il. One of its prime pro-
moters is Otto Mears, the multi millionaire
of Colorado A United States Senator is
another stockholder, while some of the
prominent New York politicians connected
with racing are also said to be interested.
The location is in Prince George county,
Maryland, on Curtis Bay, an inlet of
Chesapeake Bay, and the land is level and
admirably adapted for racetrack building.
1t is about thirty miles from the Capital,
and as a prerequisite railroad was nee
essary. That is already about completed,
and the hotel is also nearing completion.
Altogether, it is estimated that so far
new resort. Just now everything is tied
up through some litigation with the en-
gineer in chief, who objected to proposed
alterations of his plans. But that will be
quickly settled, so the promoters say, and
then they will go ahead with the racetrack
building and other improvements.
The intention is TO build mile race
track so as TO conform to Jockey Club
rules and TO conduct the entire estab-
Itch feyl1 trr1I
secure the permission of the Jockey Club
for Eastern horses to race at the track
The climate is very mild and racing could
be continued practically throughout the
entire winter. Connected with the hotel
will be one or more clubs where those who
have a leaning toward King Faro can in
dulge in their fayorite pastime.
Maryland has an anti-racing law that
was the result of the outlaw racing at
Iron Hill and Singerly, in Cecil county,
two or three years ago But that law had
local option provisions least-was
mainly intended to apply TO the counties
that had been overrun with outlaw rae
ing. 1t is claimed that il does not apply
to Prince George, and that even If 1T did
the promoters of this scheme would not
be affected, as they are operating under
an old irrevocable charter granted some
sixty years ago.
Certain that it is that capitalists of the
standing of Mr.. Mears and his associates
would not have invested the money they
have already expended in this enterprise
without being sure of their ground. Such
a resort would draw largely from Wash
ington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New
York. II conducted in the right way, as
the managers propose TO do, 1t would not
lack for patronage, and would eventually
become one of the leading winter resorts
in the country. The details of the racing
plans have not yet been fully formulated,
other than that racing is To be the chief
attraction.
Just as soon as the present litigation is
settled work will be commenced on the
racetrack. Little or no grading will be
necessary, so that the track can be COM
pleted and ready for operation easily by
the middle of November or first OF De-
cember. The promoters hope to open the
resort to the public not later than the
first of December.