The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-07
ROOHNAKERS SHOW FIGHT.
syyDICATE REFUSESTOPAYF FEES
AT BELMONT PARK,

r,,,,ss all signs fail there will BE- q bitter
s.kt % a finish bet the bookmakers'
"Sndicate otherwise known a. the Metro
s,Iit,n Turf Association, and the owners
1.-The various racet racks operating under
,hs iprisdIct ion ofthe Jockey Club. Matters
,oocb.d such a crisis yesterday that the
s,dIng members Of the syndicate said last
n,gbt that at a special meeting Of the Nets
,osd,v resolution would probably be
,.ssed setting aside a fund Of 100000 TO
5..Is test case Of the legality Of the statute
under which betting Ia carried on inside
the race tracks. Furthermore, members
1.-THE syndicate were quoted as saying that
n the track managers persisted in making
opsn warfare upon them, such as was
bsuln Yesterday, II would not be long
before racing would be killed In TINS State'
From what could be- learned last night
the race tracks have decided to stand hrm,
no matter what the consequences may be,
90 that indications Of serious trouble seem
to he cropping up on all sides.
The bookmakers syndicate intends to
fight for alleged rights on the line that there
IA COLLISION between the betting ring and
the Jockey Club, which has steadily refused
TO take Official cognizance OF speculation in
sny form, and II this can be eproven the
syndicate believes that the tracks will be
compelled to close their gates.
The trouble reached a crisis yesterday,
AZ foreshadowed in The Sun. Following
the announcement made by the turf govern
ors 10 George Wheelock, president OF the
Nets, az a conference held Friday night,
to the effect that the syndicate would have
I, be represented each day in the ring
lyeiRhty members, came real action before
the FIRST race, when the Nets had taken
their stools. There were seventy-seven
members in line at the time and business
was under way, when suddenly a Pinker-
ton man appeared on the scene and placed
three bookmaloers not regular members
Of the syndicate In the vacant places Ia
the front line
c. Morrison was located between Sol
Lohtenstein and George Levy1 William
Gargan was placed next W. j. Reardon,
while Robert Tebo was directed to do bust
ness at. a stand next to that Of Orlando
Jones Tebo and Gargan's partner, w. j.
Topis, are former members Of the Nets.
All three Of these books had been operating
in the back line, although perfectly re-
Gponsible, for the reason that they did
not hold syndicate membership buttons,
which under the circumstances are not
worth penny now, although some OF them
cost a. much a. 5000. John Cavanagh
vouohsd for The trio, who proceeded TO
make book under the privileges always
enjoyed by the syndicate.
As coon Is this move had been made,
the Ma nara pn q aEn1gc They had been
warned that something Of the kind would
happen, but they were not altogether
Ia
meeting Of the leaders, Wheelock, Jones,
Hsansy and others, In the middle Of the
ring after the first race. As a result Of
this conference the syndicate decided
10 take immediate action, IN the shape Of
refusal b pay the usual fee Of S57 each for
ring privileges. This information was
carried to . representative Of the track
Who usually aocepts this money but the
syndioatO wAa permitted 10 conduct its
buEtnoas mmolestOd The placing Of the
ShrSs ncn-members In the front line
Fas . move that practically declared the
tinG open, with equal privileges for all,
Ind that was the reason why the syndicate
bSddSd 10 show fight II was also decided
b continue on this line, with the exception
thai a to-day'S meeting q plan will be
advocated BY the leaders Of the syndicate
10 kssp out Of the betting ring altogether
tomorrow and 10 make book anywhere
within The grounds Of the racetraok.
nthis move 10 made Il win put the matter
right up 10 the turf governors, OF rather
the raootTaok managers, just what action
tie latter win resort to under the oircum-
Stances Il nero conjecture, but II was said
hs. night that In all probability the badges
Of the members Of the syndicate would
b oonhsoated. while the Pinkertons would
receive orders TO suppress all persons
guilty Of disorderly conduct. In other
words, II Is presumed that the raoetraok
mAnagers will reserve the right TO say
who shall make book on their premises
and who shall be prevented from operating.
But, on the other hand, the syndicate
VII Get forth the argument that such action
on the part Of the racetrack managers
would be a virtual recognition OF betting.
A man who IL oonversant with the inside
Of the present critical situation said last
night: I
While the Nets have been paying a fee
each day TO operate In the ring, II has been
voluntary on their part. Nobody has been
compelled 70 pay a cent for the so-caIled
!, privileges, but the fees oolleo ted have
lCmply covered the cost Of admission badges
lAnd other incidental expenses. II the
Nets persist In refusing to pay this fee the
badges will he taken up and measures will
be resorted to with the idea Of keeping the
mig and track free from Objectionable
persons. There IL a public demand for
an open ring. The Nets have been run
ming things with a free hand, but there are
Too many reputable bookmaken willing to
operate here for the present game Of freeze
OUT to be continued. In the West and
South syndioates are not tolerated. The
books pay anywhere from 500 10 $50 a
day apiece for the privilege Of doing bust
hess on an equal basis, while here the Nets,
who psy fee Of 81 each, want to hog things
and keep all other competitors out In the
cold. The closing down Of the Western
tracks will send many big bookmakers
last but they will not be allowed 10 have
The same privileges enjoyed by the Nets
unless the latter are forced 10 give way.
There has been no intention 10 injure any
Dody' but the track managers believe that
ehe public wishes an open ring, which means
broader methods In the laying Of prices.
Inc courts have already decided the le-
gaity Of the betting law A man who