The Portland daily press., 1900-01-01
NEXT SUMNER AT RIGBY.
Speculation as 60 the F~sure Of the
Park.

cradle extont throu8nout the entkfD ooun-
try, are wondering whether ar not there
is TO be any racing ct Rigby Park duriss
the coming summer and autumn season.
Rigby 10 known a. being one Of the best
tracks In the world, and since 10 has been
running, six pears. some great races have
been trossed over its course. Bus 10 has
long BEEN known that the track has failed
to realize any profits for Its owners, the
gentlemen who compose the management
Of the Maine Mile Track \. Association.
The management has tesn most enter
prising In expendius money to secure
fast horses and In many other ways to
make the enterprise . success, but In
none of tie seasons during Its history
has the track come mp 10 the expeots-
lions Of Its owners.
Last season was q DISASTROUS one and IL
IL for this reason that the management
has for several weeks past been express
ing considerable timidity about planning
for races Of any description In 1890 The
gentlemen who control the majority of
the stock have become rather impatient
and o few days ago one Of tbs mcst
prominent officials made the emphatic
declaration that affairs bad come TO
such q pass that he was tired Of paying
out any mora money and that In the
future he could not be depended upon to
| help furnish the necessary means. Ibis
filcial has come 70 time very often with
good sized amounts to clear mp bills In
the past and the announcement which
he has made to bis associates 10 very
important one. In fact 10 10 an ultima
tum OF the greatest imr ortanoe regarding
the outlook for racing next year at the
magnificent track which 10 located on
the outskirts of Portland.
1t was said on Saturday that the track
10 on the market and that there 10 a
prospect that It will bs bought outright
| BY western parties. Another rumor was
to the effect that the management might
forsake all future rsspon sibility BY let
| ting the track to local parties who might
desire to hold meets during the season.
Dr. n. w. Huntington, who is one OF
the most enthusiastic horsemen In the
country and who has done much for
Rigby, Ia hopeful, however, that some
thing will he done SO that there will
continue to be racing at the rark. DIR.
Huntington has NOT for several months
been connected In an official capacity
with Rigby, having resigned the POSI-
ton OF secretary Of the association. But
he still takes a great interest In Its well
fare and is hoping that the best may be
brought about.
what ara the prospects for Ta,ing al
Rigby next summer, and are We to have
fair rext summer, rs has been pre-
posedf' siid the Doctor on Saturday af-
ternoon when discussing the situation
with q reporter of the TIMES. well,
this is perhaps rather too room for me to
answer that question, as you know that
am out of the racing business At the
present.
The death OF the late Weston n. MILL
ken, who wHs one Of the staunchest sup
porters Of Rigby. Is q serious blow to fu-
turs arrangements and may make n
difference In plans which were bslng con-
sidered. However, when the time comes.
l think that you will hear the bell ring
for the word 60 at the usual time. kis-
Ny AhEk 10 wv Auhko aha WV -
plant to be allowed to lay idle and l
don't think that 1t IL the intention Of
President Burnham to see such thing
result Two good race meetings and o
fair to be held during ths last week In
August, would be about the prop-r
th ing. II the citizens of Portland would
turn to and lend helping hand, we
% he. haak falr hal haa
ever te,n held In this part Of the state.
But of course 20 hold a successful fair,
q large expenditure Of money must bs
made and It also means lots OF work for
thoss having the undertaking In char &c.
IL the city would contribute or II the
citizens would subscribe liberal
amount, don't think that there would
be any doubt at all that We would have
fair next year which would surpass
any thing Of the kind thai has been held
In this part Of the country.
"The money which would be so con-
tributed or subscribed should be placed
In the hands OF the treasurer or manager
to pay prsmimuns or erect buildings for
the use Of the fair. instead Of being used.
a8 ~ uUo III tuo podtf w saV
streets for the hensfit Of the veteran fire.
men and for the hiring Of bands of mu-
sic and also for having calnium light
shows at both ends Of the city to attract
people away from the exhibition proper.
My idea would be to have the fair held
entirely ON the grounds. The lower part
of the grand stand could, ut small
expense, be converted into one Of the
largest sxhihition halls In the country,
and lighted BY electricity, power for
which could be easily furnished. the ex-
hibition could be in progress both night
and day IS both electric and steam cars
stop at the gate Of the park, thus max
ing 1t very convenient to the patrons Of
the exhibits.
"Wails may not. in the future. BE-
able to take active part In the manage
ment Of the affairs Of the park, on &C.
count Of other business engagements. /
shall, ut all times. be ready 70 do Whatever
Is In my power for the success Of the