The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-24
POOL SELLING Is
 AGAIN DISCUSSED
A. J. Krebs Defends His Po-
 sition
\ RESOLUTION ADOPTED
Pool Selling Even for a Few Days is Strongly opposed-coIonel Bush criticises a Card That Ap-
 peared In a Paper.

citizens held at the Southside Baptist church last night, disapproval of the pending pool selling bill was voiced in a resolution presented by the Rev. s. P. West and adopted by rising vote. The resolution is as follows:
 Whereas, There is a bill now pending before the legislature of Alabama to legal ize the selling of pools on horse racing, and recognizing the great evil of gam bling, therefore, resolved, that we, in mass meeting assembled hereby express our dsapproval of this measure and ask members of the present legislature to de- feat this bill"
 The meeting was presided over by Fred M. Jackson, and when he called it to order at S:15 o'clock about 225 persons, including q large number of ladies and a few children, were present.
 MT. Jackson stated that the object of the meeting was to institute fight against the pool selling bill. He said: "There are two sides to the question, however and the Alabama State Fair as- sociation, I learn, but am not positive, was instrumental in introducing the pill. thinking it would benefit the community. MT. kTeDS, MllO represents htiS SSNONAN% ton, Is here tonight, and we would like to hear from him first on the subject, after which several speakers who have been notified and selected by the commit tee, will have something to say
 MT. Krebs was then called upon and read the following remarks:
 MT. kreb's Position.
 MT. Chairman, Rev. Sirs, Ladies and
 Gentleman:
 Tt is my purpose to make a few re- marks clearly and concisely upon the subject for which this meeting was called and net to enter into a colloquy with anyone.
 T realize, as l stand before this au- dience that it represents the highest type of a moral and religious body, and that no matter how much we may differ as regards this measure I can only feel a most profound respect for you and know that your efforts are directed In an earnest endeavor to elevate the manhood and moral tone of our people; hence l would not have my remarks construed as opposing you in this sense but merely in support of the necessity for granting the privilege of pool selling which is de- sirable to the successful operation of state or county lalrS.
 My connection with the Alabama Fair Association, as president. and the refer enee to me by your chairman has forced me to appear before you tonight. The courteous letter of your chairman pub lished In this mornings paper has invited me to speak in my official capacity for the Alabama Fair Association with refer ence to the proposed pool law. This mat ter has not been referred to the board of directors and l can only speak from my experience and observation.
 AS a mans individuality is more or less identified with his official position you will pardon me for personal refer ence to myself. The fact of my advocat- ing a law allowing pool selling on horse racing at a fair would naturally raise the question as to my utilization, connec- tion or interest in what is termed gamb- ling.
 q stand in a house consecrated to God and were 1 a man who had ever gambled, or had any inclination in that direction, 1 would not appear before you tonight in this place. The recent fair stands today upon it's record as one where a man. wo- man or child, with the highest sense of morality could go In any part with per- feet impunty.
 Horse Racing.
 We had but little funds to give a fair and the selection of the highest types of attractions did not satisfy the public without horse racing and we soon saw that we would not secure the necessary attendance unless we had horse racing What was the consequence? We did the best we could and barely pal. out. using the strictest economy and working night and day It is an evident fact that the people are unwilling to make sufficient contributions each year for an annual state fair for the purpose of attracting people to our city, and to exhibit our states agricultural and mineral resources. our live stock, manufactured articles and works of art, science and industry Is it right that this state should not hold an annual fair to advertise and disseminate tural. mineral and manufacturing inter ests? No, it Is not. What should be done? The people through its business men must do what the state negfects.
 "The only way to hold fair and maxr it pay out is by the selling of privileges, and if the privilege of pool selling on horse racing cannot be sold you cannot lave horse racing and your fair will be a failure in point of attendance
 When the present bill under eonsidera- ton was introduced in Montgomery l re- ceived message asking me to ccme 10 Mt ntgomery to discuss the measure. l will state right here that the bill. as fifst introduced was far reaching in it's nature, and simply meant a continuous performance of poo. selling, After look ing over tho matter very carefully l stated to the parties advocating the measure that I was opposed to any meas- ure so far-reaching in it's scope, and that such a measure would be heartily opposed by business men who felt an interest in the success of state fair, but if the bill was amended to allow pool selling for cnly ten days at state fair. and only on the fair grounds during that time could furnish at least fifty of the reputable business mems approval of such Q law, and l was assured that such a commit tee would go to Montgomery. I was op- posed to allowing this privilege to pass into the hands of any set of men who W would take advantage of such a law.
 We had but little funds to give a fair
 The bill as amended. is in brief-To all low pool selling at a state or county fair Tn any county having over 60,000 popula- ton, to be held either in the spring or fall. and only for ten days but first to De passed upon by referendum vote of the people of said county
 Past experience has proven and you well know that successful fair cannot De neio without horse racing. Horse rac- ing at fair does not attract one element alone, but people of all classes, and today stands, as 1t has always been, the peer of all sports. and Is the means by which the breeding of live stock Is encouraged No one will assume to say that interest In this industry can be engendered with out horse racing, and horse racing. how
 Third term means machine