The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-08
BENNING FALL MEETING
Every Stable and Stall at the Track
Already Engaged.
Many High Class Horses Coming and
Better Racing Than Ever Before
Promised-chanses That Are Elk
pccted to Make the Track Much
Faster-Other improvements Made.

While the fall meeting at Benning is yet
FIVE weeks away, the grounds. track. and
buildings are being rapidly put in shape
to accommodate the crowds which the
Washington Jockey Club hope to and
doubtless will attract. Many needed i'm
proyements have already been made. others
are well under way and nearing completion,
and patrons of the track will find many
pleasant surprises awaiting them on open
ing day.
Not the least of the many improvements
is that in the betting ring, which has been
enlarged about thirty feet, so that now
there are ample accommodations for fifty
or more bockmakers to do business COM
fortably and take in the money of the
specializing public without that pushing,
jostling, and crowding heretofore so an
noylng to spectators. The cafe and lunch
counters have been heightened to more
than twice their former size, giving every
facility to the public to dine or wine as
they desire.
A private cafe has been erected in the
club house for the use of ladies and their
escorts; new toilet rooms have been added,
in fact, everything that tends to the COM
fort and convenience of the guests of the
Jockey Club has been looked to-
Heretofore the water supply at the track
has been wholly inadequate to the demand.
but with the erection of a water tower and
tank holding 10000 gallons, to be con-
nected by 3-inch mains to all parts
OF the track, horsemen and others will
find the supply ample. The improvements
are so many and withal so needful that
patrons cannot fail to be agreeably sur
prised. Too much praise cannot be given
Secretary Rowland, under whose directions
those improvements are being made. 1t
cannot be denied that 1t is to his untring
efforts and faith in the possibilities of
the Benning track that the Washington
Jockey Club owes its present success.
Mr.. James Lee, the track superintend-
ent, is faithfully carrying out Mr.. How
lands plans and instructions, and is
leaving nothing undone to improve and
heautify the grounds. The position of
track superintendent is no sinecure; it is
no bed OF roses. AS a general rule horse
men are not the easiest people in the
world to get along with. but fair minded
and reasonable horsemen can always be
assured of fair treatment at the hands of
Lee. He always tries to do his best and
be fair to all. The track itself naturally
slow. is undergoing an experiment which
may improve it. AT all events it will be
made better and safer. This is 4 layer
of lime and sand, which, when worked in
by narrowing and raking, Will help to
make harder footing underneath and prob
ably make the track faster.
Every stable on the ground is now en-
gaged-not a stall is to be had for love
or money-and the question to be consid-
cred is how the club is going to take care
OF all the horses. II the success of the
coming meeting depends upon the guam
tity of horses and the size of fields, it
will be a great one.
Stables have already been engaged by
the old regulars-W. =. Burch, James Nc