The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-10-02

attached so that the horse going be-
hind will not only be projected from
the air resistance, but the powerful
suction behind such a machine will
actually draw the horse along. The
line must be drawn somewhere, and
if one is allowed then all must be al
lowed. Either discard everything but
the horse and his runner, or throw
open the doors to every mechanical
invention that man can devise and
surrender the best horse interests
completely.
1T is up to the officers of the
trotting association to decide at an
early date whether mechanical appli-
ances are to be permitted as accesso-
ries to breaking Of official legitimate,
championship records or not The
running association most certainly
would not allow anything of this kind
for the runners.
Blow to Legitimate Breeding.
# these mechanical records are a.
lowed to stand in the same class as
records made under natural condi-
tons then the association Will give
very severe blow at the legitimate
tire country. 1t does not seem posi-
BILE that any association Of hOrsemen
will be SO shOrt-sighted as to belittle
the horse and force horse breeders
10 employ inventors on their farms
in order to obtain some new mecnani-
cal continuance that will help pull
horse along and establish freak rec
Ords in preference to legitimate re-
cords made under natural conditions.
Ii official records are given to sucn
combinations, then look out for every
kind Of machine just so the horses
feet touch the ground now and then.
If one is allowed. all must be &C
cepted. 1t would be just as sensible
TO allow every horse in a race to
have a runner ahead of him with a
high wind break attachment. If it is
to be allowed in record breaking
miles, | fail to see how it could be
prevented in races. 1t might make
the judges some extra trouble, but
they are used to trouble and could
soon adjust themselves to the new
condition.
Il will admit that in some of the
fast miles Of Dan Patch strip Of
canvas eighteen inches wide was
placed between the wheels Of the
sulky pulled by the runner in order to
prevent the runner from throwing
dirt in Dams face. This was not a
wind shield in any sense Of the word
and many of Dams best miles have
been made without it, and he can beat
1:59 without even the dirt protector
Freak exhibitions of speed may
be entertaining to the crowd, but nc
thinking man will rank such exhihi
tons as entitled to championship
hCnOrs outside of such class. Such
tests are worthless as guides tC
breeders or as tests Of speed.
Cyclists and Freak Records.
The performance Of Prince Alert
ranks with bicycle records made be
hind wind Shields The L. ~ W. al
lowed these only as freak exhibitions
Many of the trOtting horse assOcia
lions are absolutely refusing to ever
allow a hOppled horse to start in any
race over their track, because the.
believe topples are a detriment to The
best interests Of horse breeders. :
| hoppled horse is Of no value for roa(
| purposes Or matinees. and thinking
| breeders could not be induced to breet
TO sire that wore hOpples during hi
racing career.
If Prince Alert will come out from
behind his wind shield and pace
miles in less than 1:59 l will take OF
my hat to him as the 'hopple cham
pion' If he will lay aside hopple
and strong drink and beat 1859,
will hail him as champion PAGER. bu
until he meets these conditions l d.
not believe he has any right to tn,
title champion and l am sure tina