The Washington times., 1902-12-23
MAY LEGALIZE BETTING
IN KEYSTONE STATE
Movement Supported by the
Jockey Club.
THREE POWERFUL FORCES
Baseball Magnate Hanlon Tells How to
Score An Euor-Young Corbett
Not a Money Maker.

Shortly after the Legislature convenes
a proposition TO Iegalize betting in the
State Of Pennsylvania viii come before
that body in the form Of pool bill. The
bill viii pass and become a law IL it
does not. in its provisions create a
monopoly controlled absolutely by the
Jockey Club. the turf trust. of which
August Belmont is president Powerful
interests, not necessarily hostile to the
Jockey Club. have determined to defeat
any pool bin that limits racing in Penn
sylvania to only thirty days. and q finish
fight is promised unless the proposed
bill Is so worded as to leave Penn
sylvania a fair field in the racing world.
with no favor to the Jockey Club.
As IL stands today three powerful ele-
ments figure in the situation. The
Jockey Club. commanding the great
political strength of the Pennsylvania
Railroad and its allied interests. through
a. j. Ca5satt and Joseph b. Widencr.
the organization dominated by Israel W.
Durham and James 7. McNichol, in
Philadelphia; Thomas s BiEel0w and
George T. oliver. in PittsbWg. and
Matthew Stanley Quay. throughout the
State. and the track owners. horse
owners. hackers. trainers, and other
racing factors not directly controlled by
the Jockey Club.
The Jockey Club seems TO control the
situation. viewed from the point OF view
OF practical politics and practical racing.
The politicians who have acquired an
equity by investment must be taken into
account. however. and in strength and
ability they undoubtedly equal the
Jock y Club
Thus the balance of power rests with
the independent element, which demands
a full season Of legitimate racing. under
the protection Of the Jockey Club. with
out prohibitive restrictions.
In other words. this independent ele-
men; will strive 20 defeat any legislation
that coutemplates the restricting OF
legitimate racing to one or two tracks in
the whole State Of Pennsylvania. thus
making all other tracks outlaws"
The stake events to be decided at the
Cumberland Park spring meeting in 1903
were announced at the annual meeting
Of the New Tennessee Breeders Asso-
citation. There will be five events. Of
which the Derby for three -year-olds. at
one and one-eighth miles. to be run on
the opening day. win be the main fea-
ture. The association has added s.. 600
TO this race. and it carries with it an
estimated value OF 5000. There viii be
no purse less than 500. The stakes fol-
low.
The Cumberland Derby; for three
year-olds; one and one-eigbth miles.
$1,000 added.
The Citizens Handicap; for three
year-olds and upward one mile; $1,000
added.
The Carter Memorial Selling Stakes:
for three-y -yesr-oIds and upward one
mile and seventy yards; $500 added.
The Avondale Stakes; for two-year-
olds. four and one-half furlongs. 81. 900
added
The Belle Meade Stakes; for two-year-
old hllies; four Iurlongs $500 aided.
The following IS an idea OF Ned Han
Ions Of charging an error against a
ball player. An error should not be
charged against a ball player except for
a dropped throw a Wild throw, or a
muffed hy. I don't believe in charging
the player with an error for missing a
ground bail iu the infeld or Outdeld No
ball field is perfect. and frequently when
a player IS properly set for the ball the
sphere takes an ugly bound and goes to
one side or strikes the player on the
chest. The player Is IL nowise respon-
sible for missing a chance Of this kind
still he is charged with an error In
my opinion it would be a good idea to
reconstruct the rules so tha errors
would not be charged against the player
except for a wild throw. dropped throw
or muned Ey. The present system OF
scoring has a tendency to develop So
called record players. II q man knows
he Is going 70 be charged with an error
II he misses a hard chance he IS not
going 10 put forth his best effort to get
in front Of the ball. for II he Decent get
his hands on the sphere he cannot be
charged with a misplay. On the other
hand. x be kne that he would not dam
age his record even though he missed
the chance he would undoubtedly make
every possible effort 10 get in front Of
the bali hit into his territory"
No champion Of these modern times
has secSred less substantial acknowl-
edEnent Of his achievements lin the
ring than Young Corbett He has been
the champion for more than q year yet
he cannot display a bank account nor
can he be charged with having been a
spendthrlft The Kid. as his friends call
him. has been unfortunate I'M this re-
spect and IL IS no wonder that he is
discouraged at times and feels like quit
ting the game That Ccrbett IS anxious
10 fight McGoYern goes without saying.
He is placed in a position where he has
20 dght. even IL be did not have conf
dence in himself