Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-30
TECHNICAL POINT ONLY
NO PROSECUTION OF BENNING
TRACK MANAGEMENT.
Rights Under Bradley Decision to Be
Respected-Racing to Proceed
Without Interruption.

The story which gained circulation yes
| terday regarding the proposed action OF
| the United States district attorney in again
| calling into question the legality of the
| conduct of the racing meeting at Bennine
| has aroused the keenest interest among the
| lovers of the sport and the people of the
| capital city in general. There has been
much speculation as to the outcome of the
| affair. and the discussion has taken a wide
range
| The facts in the matter. it is explained
are very simple and easily stated 1t is true
a technical question has arisen as to the
method of bookmakng at the track, and
the authorities have instituted an inquiry
to determine anew whether the Bradley de-
cision of few years ago covers the meth
DDS of today, and whether that decision
was based upon true recital of the facts
and the law. The matter has been agitated
by local man interested in all matters of
reform. Heretofore it has generally been
conceded that the Bradley decision amply
covers the matter.
The authorities. it is understood. realize
that the racing association has undeniable
rights under the Bradley decision and con-
sequently do not contemplate any raid or
other overt action as has been suggested
as being under consideration. The question
of the rights of the racing folk under d
decision by the local supreme court par
takes so decidedly of an academic nature,
with the points of legality and illegality so
finely drawn, that if any action at all re
suits from the present inquiry it will be
taken in an orderly manner and with due
regard to the rights. supposed real, of
those who have been proceeding as they be-
1ieve under the protection of law rather
than in opposition to it.
Meets With Popular Favor
Racing in Washington has been estab-
lished on solid founGa ton. and hundreds
of thousands of dollars have been spent by
the Washington Jockey Club in providing q
course that ranks among the finest in the
country. That the racing has met with
popular favor there is no denying The
men behind the sport proceeded on the
theory that Justice Bradley had correctly
interpreted the statutes. They. however, as
well as the District attorneys office, are
said to be anxious that the status of racing
in the District should be determined defin-
itely and for all time. The associa ton de-
Clares that if its present methods are not
wholly within the law it is ready to SO
operate the track as to be entirely
within the letter and spirit of the
act. The District attorneys office is acting
in unison with the Department of Justice
in inquiring into the facts of recent racing
decisions in the District and in New York.
where the sport has been placed upon q
permanent basis and is under the direction
and control of a state racing commission
Management Ready to Cooperate.
1t is stated that the inquiry has not pro-
ceeded to Il point where interference with
the present meeting is contemplated. There
will be embarrassment in the matter
There is a perfect understanding, it is
stated as to the inquiry now under way
and there is no occasion for secretly
planned raids or other sensational coups
The racing authorities are ready to submit
to an adiudication of the matter and the
facts of the case, in view of the history of
the courts decisions, are such that drastic
measures are not believed to be warranted
If any action is taken, it will be for the
purpose of a test case. and both sides are
said to be willing that such case shall be
made. In the meantime it is understood
there will be nothing done to harass the
management of the association, which is
duly authorized and licensed under the laws
of the District.
A test case. if brought in the District
would arose interest the country over 1t
would be inteligently fought out between
learned attorneys, no doubt, and would not
partake of the ordinary trials of mis-
demeanor. Extensive interests are involved.
The officials of the jockey club and the
stewards of the meeting are not worried
over the various rumors that have gained
circulation and say nothing will interfere
with the successful conduct of the pres
ent and all future meetings at Benning.