Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-02-09
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~eSA
The racc-track people are said to have
raised 100000 to spend for "frlcndly"
turf legislation at Springfield this scS.
sion. The turf crowd in Chicago are
very hungry and must get what they
want \ well-known turf writer re-.
Gently had This to say on the subject:
Unless all signs fail, the coming sea.
son. 80 far as turf sports arb concerned.
Will be the greatest that Chicago has
ever known. and yet there Is more need
Of n racing bill than ever. For several
years the Chicago race tracks have
been at the mercy of every blackmall-
or who chose To go after them. having
been without protection. so far as the
law Is concerned. while In the East the
Perry Gray bill has legltlmatlzed the
sport and placed II upon firm footing.
As u result the Eastern tracks have
been In position to offer richer induce.
ments. both in the way Of stakes and
purses. than have their competitors I'm
the West II present plans are fol.
lowed out, however. there Is more than
n fighting chance that Il bill legitimate
lug the sport in this State will he
passed by the Illinois Legislature. For
the first time In the history of the sport
here the local tracks are all working
in perfect harmony and, so far rs any
chance of a local racetrack war Is con.
cerned there Is not a single cloud to be
seen on the horizon. Each and every
one of them Is In favor Of a racing bill,
and that they will combine their efforts
for the purpose of getting one l. an
open secret. Just what sort of u bill
will be asked for has In all probability
moi been determined upon up to the
present time, though the chances are
that any sort OF n law that would put
ihe sport on n firm footing would be
acceptable. The bill most talked of At
this time Is one that would limit the
racing on each track In the State to
sixty days each during the season and
allow of racing between the dates of
May and Nov. /, and thar would pro-
vide for the payment of n certain per-
ccniage of the gross receipts 10 the
State, thus providing IA fund that could
he used in helping ont the various cOlln-
ty fairs that are held throughout the
season. .AS racing matters are now
conducted. the various trottlng tracks
throughout the State are as much at
ihc mercy of the blacima!lns element
as are the big race courses in the vicln-
fly of Chicago, aud their managers can
he put 10 just ns much trouble. The
popularity Of the racing game IN this
section was never shown 10 aS much
advantage n LAST season. when the at
tendance AZ the local track, wa, u mat
Ter Of wundcrmcnt to visitors from all
parts Of the country. When the race
tracks are prosperous the breeders are
happy and the breeding interests Of III
nOis have now assumed gigantic pro-
portions, both IN the light harness ana
thoroughbred lines. With racing bill
jn mis- State that would guarantee pro.
fccIIOn 10 the sport Of kings the tracks
now located In Illinois could afford to
enter into direct competition with the
tracks that center about the Eastern
metropolis. and Chicago would become
the Mecca toward which the eyes of
horscmcn IN all sections OF the country
would bc turned with the result that
the very best class Of horses to be-
found In America would be raced here.
1T is estimated that even under present
conditions racing brings 10 Chicago and
the state at large over a million and Il
half of dollars annually, and that the
amount of money finds It's way into
trade channels. With "A racing bill that
amonnt would hc more than doubled.
That the people generally are in favor
OF such bill Is almost certain, and that
one will be propely framed and pre-
senicd 10 the Legislature at Springfield
at an early date Is believed. Whether
H. will pass or not Is another question,
but with public opinion in It's favor ii
- believed that no difficulty in securing
.he right sort Of law will be encouR-
snrel."