The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-04-29
BENEFITS IO TIE FARMERS
TO AGRICULTURAL
INTER E,STS
EXPERIENCE OF NEW YORK
Nearly 100000 Raised in That
State Through the Tax on Racing
Associations During Sea-
SON of 1900.

A dispatch from Harrisburg to the
Philadelphia Record stated that the
Stiles bill, which legalizes betting at
horse races, was defeated in the senate.
The vote was II to II. Senator Stiles, Of
Lehigh, and Higgins, of S:huylkiIl, who
voted for the bill, changed their votes to
mo- after they saw the bill was defeat
ed. This will enable the friends Of the
bill to reconsider the vote by which it
was defeated.
When the bill comes up again for re-
consideration the lawmakers Of Penn
syivania should carefully consider the
benefits derived by the agricultural in
terests of the state Of New York from
legalizing horse racing in that state, It
is very clearly set forth in the report
of the state racing commission, COM
posed of August Belmont, E. d. Morgan
and John Sanford, which was handed
down in the legislature at Albany on
Tuesday.
After a general review of the situation
and calling attention to the fact that the
tax upon the gross receipts of the sew
eral racing associations, of which the
agricultural societies are the beneficiaries
is fair test by which to measure bcth
the prosperity and the growing popularity
of the sport, the report cites the fact
that while, in 1896, this tax amounted to
$25,220. a. in 1900 1t reached $98 GIL So
In the past six years, during which the
turf has been governed and regulated by
the commission, the gross total of the
tax paid to the state comptroller and APP
portioned to the agricultural societies,
footed up the sum of $409 8G7. 81.
In referring to this tax the commission
reports that as the increased receipts
and in consequence the increased tax is
an evidence of the enlarged patronage ex-
tended to the sport and testimony TO
wild
racing associations in another direction
have RESPONDED fittingly to this patron
age. In the amount of money to he COM
peted for as prizes they have kept pace
with their prosperity.
In 1897, the first year when, by reas n
of the affirmation of the constitutionality
Of the racing code by the court Of ap-
peals. the sport had been put upon a
firm foundation, the gross total premiums
which went to successful horses was
Ssee,e GOO In 1900 it was 81, 10000
the breedlng industry the report cites
4hat this year there are registered with
fhe Jockey club 8 GO two-s ear-oIds. Tn
Years ago statistics show that there
were not so great a number of horses of
all ages in train ,i1g in the United States
In this state last year 274 separate AMI
distinct stables competed for the 81 311 :
go of premiums offered, and 1.2-7 HOSES
went to the post.
The commission commends the extern
slve plans of the Saratoga Racing ass J.
ciat lon, now in moe progress We hands.
end particularly their revival of the
classic events which were the glory of
the Spa in the ZOOS and '70s, when it was
great racing center
Weight for age races over distance
OF ground come in for praise. They not
! only will meet what is conceived to be a
desire on the part of the public for con-
tests Of endurance and stamina, but will
he refuge for some Of the great horses
which otherwise would be retired when
! by virtue of their very superiority thew
would be unduly burdened in the handi-
caps.
In speaking of the breeding industry
the success Of recent sale in New York
city is referred to at which more than
$4nO000 was realized.
The commission concludes it's report
with the statement that the prospects
for 1901 are encourag ing. There is not
any reason to apprehend, 1t says. that
there will be any diminution of public
interest, and the racing associations al
ready have made announcements which
assure a profitable year to owners. In
the aggregate the increased premiums
offered will amount to many thousands
of dollars.
The 5 per cent tax for the past year
was as follows:
Westchester Racing association sic, 152 06
Ccnev Island Jockey Club. "a 744 T5
Brooklyn Jockey club ........ 1914 SO
Brighton Beach Racing associa-
Saratoga assoc citation ........... $3.50. ii
Queens County Jockey club.. 1927 rs
Empire City Jockey club ........ 3.571. SO
Total .......... .........,....... 1913, 671. 30