The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-13
RULES FOR HORSEMEN
CHANGES MADE BY THE NATIONAL
TROTTING CONGRESS.
Important Amendment i'm Regard 10
Observation-Disclosures for
Determining Records.

NEW YORK, Feb. 12-The National
Trotting Congress held its biennial ses-
sion here to-day. Among those present
were: President p. r. Johnson, of Lex
ingtOn. Ky; Secretary w. II. Gocher,
Hartford Conn. Geo. NJ. Archer, Roches-
ter. N Y; Louis Powers, Springfield,
Mass: Chas. G. Palmer, Lowell. Mass;
Frank Bower and II. NJ. Cullen. Philadel-
phia: VIM. r. Allen. St. Louis. Mo. Frank
S. GOrton. Chicago; VIM. G. Pollock and
II. X. Devereaux, Cleveland, o.; c. a.
McCully and a. J. WEIGH, Hartford, Conn;
VIM. Christie Portsmouth N H.; w l..
IIitchings. c. NJ. Jewett Frank Walker.
II. VI. Whitehead and T. l.. Quimby. Of
Boston; II. w. Wilson, Lexington, Ky;
Rensselaer, Weston, Goshen, N Y; Scott
Locke, Concord, y. H; c. \. Willis. Red
Bank, y. j.; Albert Hall, Stamford, Conn;
Hamilton Busby, Edward A Upton and
i. NJ. Cofferty, Binghamton. y. Y; n. II.
y. Bake, POughkeepsie, n. Y; s. Il. Run
die. Danbury. Conn; Fl. Sheds and l. S.
Kaufman, Of Philadelphia. and ]. Walter
Levett. OF Bethlehem, Pa. The committee
on credentials reported 322 delegates, many
represented by proxy.
Mr.. Willis moved an amendment forbid
ding betting on heats in a race. and call
should allow It. 1t was not adopted, 296
votes being against and and only votes
for it.
The committee on nominations reported
for the reelection of the present officers,
including members of the board of review,
j. Malcolm Forbes Of Boston, John c.
welty of Canton o.. and R. H. Plant. of
Macon. Ca.
A change making the rule against hop
piles more stringent. but requiring action
by the American Trotting Association to
become effective. was proposed by Mr.
Jewett, but was voted down. the present
rule remaining as it was
a new rule. IS. Section I. referring to
disqualification was adopted. 1t provides:
Owners who start horses, riders or drivers
who ride or drive and all horses started at
meetings conducted by persons under pen
atty by either the National Trotting As
sociatiOn the American Trotting Asso-
citation SHALL by operation OF the rules, be
henceforth disqualified from the right to
compete on grounds OF members, which
disqualification may be removed only by
order of the board OF review and upon pay
ment of fine of 500 TO go TO this asso-
citation, the fine TO apply to the horse or
horses disqualified, regardless OF any
change of ownership
Another change provides that written or
Geographic notice for the drawing of a
horse shall be given instead OF the oral
notice sometimes given in the past An
other change provides that no heat shall
be called after sunset
Rule ~ Section ,. was amended so as to
permit any person interested in any horse
in "a race to act lin any official capacity
in that race" This is broader than the
recommendation OF the conference. which
mentioned only Judges and timers"
Rule 81 was amended so as to allow
printed conditions of race to arrange for
other than the usual number of heats. The
rule covering sandwiching OF heats was
changed so as TO allow sandwiching heats
OF three races on one day.
Rule 80, Section 3 left unchanged
after a long discussion over a proposition
to allow judges TO declare any heat void
for pulling or other irregularities Mr..
WEIGH urged that the greatest penalty now
enforceable against persons guilty of such
practices was 10 "give them their money
back The rule regarding distances was
also left unchanged, although the confer
ence committee recommended q reduction
of ten feet. A new section allowing the
waving of distance on consent was also
adopted.
Besides the other penalties the fine for all
lowing suppression of the correct time was
increased from 500 TO 500.
A board for determining records was es-
tablished. To consist of the presidents OF
the National, American and Register assO-
Citations.
The following was added to Rule A by a
vote OF 272 to u: Records cannot be made
or bars incurred IN trials OF speed where
there is no pool selling. bOokmaking OF
Other public betting on the event, no money
competed Tor, no entrance charged or col
lected from competing horses, no admission
fee to the gate and no privileges of any
kind sold. Such performances shall not be
considered public races"
President Johnson left the meeting before
Ii was over in order to catch a train. AS
he left it was explained that his son had
died in Montana and that he had been in
formed Of the fact just as he was starting
for the carriage A resolution of sympathy
for him was adopted by rising vote.
Mr.. Willis moved that when the con-
gress adjourned 1t be until March II, al
which time. after notice. the question OF
aboiishiug the practice of voting by proxy
be considered.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson it was voted tc
petition the United States Congress to al
low. on application, an extension of six
months to the period of six months during
which a Canadian owner OF a horse may
import the same in bond and free of duty.
The next congress will be held in this
city, at a place TO be determined by the
president of the association.