The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-25
JUMPING RACES
CALLED MURDER
Killing of jockeys and
Horses Denounced.
THEY SHOULD BE PROHIBITED
Are Only Alleged Sport, and Public
and BOOkmakers Pass
Them Up.

BRIGHTON BEACH, July 25.-The
killing Of Jockey SwallweT in the
steeplechase at Brighton on Saturday,
following closely the fatal injuries sus-
tanned a week previous by George Green.
who was thrown by Terrible ferry. the
500 horse. has served TO increase the
growing appropriately Of the jumping
game.
such exhibitions as seen recently at
the Beach and other tracks where the
chasers are permitted TO risk human life
and limb cannot continue without sum-
mary action either upon the part of the
turf authorities or the officers of the
law. When in the presence of 10000
men and women steeplechase jockeys
are either killed outright or are carried
or unconscious with broken collarbones
and internal injuries, while horses fall,
fracturirg legs or otherwise injuring
themselves, it is high time to call
halt
Two Murders in Ten Days.
What excuse can the promoters Of
steeplechasing give for its perpetuation
In the face Of two murders within ten
days with thousands of disguised spec
tators looking on? A man who insists
that the jumDing game as conducted at
local tracks is sport cannot find many
supporters In the rank and file OF race
goers. 1t is an indisputable fact that
the racing public has no use for jump
ing races. not only because they are
brutal and inhuman. but also for tic
reason that they afford such a chance
for shady business that they are poor
betting propositions.
Whenever a steeplechase is run II is
no uncommon thing to see hundreds OF
spectators, both men and women. turn
their backs. They do not care to see the
crashing falls which may result in sud
den death for both horses and riders.
and when finally an accident occurs.
such as Saturdays fatality. these same
persons cry out In denunciation OF this
foolhardy branch Of the turf.
Excuse Not Good.
Advocates Of steeplechasIng say that
the sport is too old TO be intsrfered with.
They insist that accidents are due TO
poor courses and obstacles or perhaps
weakened horses and inexperienced
riders. Yet this excuse cannot hold good
at Brighton. for It was not long ago
that the stewards OF the National Stee-
plechase and Hunt Association inspected
the course and jumps at the Beach and
pronounced them perfectly satisfactory
The champions of the jumping game
also insist that from a spectacular
standpoint there IS nothing that COM
pares with their favOrite paStime. So
ctety has always shown an interest In
II. and there are numerous gentlemen
riders who are fond of tempting fate &c
be Detted and iOniZed after successful
performances through the field.
Public Doesn't Want Them.
But looking at the game from cold
bloOded point Of view, II is fair to say
that nine out Of every ten persons wkC
patroniZe racing would like to see the
Jumping events eliminated entirely. The
hurdle races were abolished last year
because the turf authorities said they
were too dangerous. but they never pro-
duced such killings as those at Brighton
Beach.
II is further pointed out by those WHO
believe that the races over the jumps
have got 10 go that a majority OF the
bOokmakers doing business In the rine
at Brighton have decided TO quote NJ
/ further prices on these events. They
/ give as a reason that the steeplechases
have been run In the interests of
/ clique and that they have not been OF
/ the leNcl.
Has Lost Confidence.
/ They also assert that the racing public
! has lost confidence in these affairs anC
1 that hundreds Of regulars have Of late
refused TO bet a penny on them. Book
makers can tell you when the popular
! fancy is on the wane quicker than any
/ body They are in closer touch with th'
public than the Jockey Club itself
When they turn their states over, there
! fore. and pass the steeplechase event!
up. Il would seem 10 indicate that th'
DAYS OF this Anticipated and barbara,
/ form Of so-called sport are mum
/ beTcd.
Racing without betting cannot live
! The public supports every branch
: Of the turf The bOOkmakcrs pay biz
I revenue TO the tracks. and in return
] they ask for sport that will keep a firm
hold on the public's confidence. II /!
| the bookmaker, therefore. who has be
! gun the real tight against steepleChas
L IL.