Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
CLUBS DECLARE AGAINST THE
B00KlES
BELMONT PARK IN THE LEAD
Betting Rings VIII No Longer BE Re-
served for Association Mem.
bers-outcome Of Move
Uncertain
BY Associated Press.


NEW YORK, May 2O.-one Of the
most important steps since racing In
New York state has been conducted
under the present law has just beer
taken. Every racing association In the
state has announced the absolute sever
ance of all business relations, directly
and indirectly with the Metropolitan
Turf association and all other organ
izations or Individual bookmakers.
Hereafter, while there may be layers
Of odds and betting ring, as Of old,
1t will be absolutely without restriction,
free of admission to any person pur'
chasing one ticket, known to track
police as personally reputable and
financially liable for amount Of their
wagers.
The innovation will begin today at
Belmont park, $4,000 received yesterday
from the bookmakers for extra tickets
bought according to the prevailing GUS
tom, having been returned to them.
While there has been growing friction
between course elements and the book
makers for some time, which recently
came to head when an opening wedge
was driven by breaking the monopoly OF
the bookmaking fraternity held in the
big ring" at the eastern tracks by the
Metropolitan Turf association, regu-
lations for the move are said to be
twofold. One is stated to be that owners
of the tracks of New York state
have made up their minds to clear
themselves of any alliance with book
makers associations, to the end that
they may not be attacked by any cru
sade against racing, or in any SUITS
instituted by any influence opposed to
betting at the tracks.
Whether the condition has been has
tened by the fear of determined fght
to be made by poolroom interests can
not be learned. The fact is that the
racing associations have declared them
selves against further attempts to die
tate by outside organizations in the
conduct of affairs about the tracks. Just
what will be the outcome is little UNI
certain. One thing is certain, the rae
ing associations having voluntarily
shut off dealings with the organized
bookmakers, have cast aside revenue
for 200 racing days in the season
amounting to nearly $1,200,000. Various
schemes are being broached to make
up for the lost revenue, but it is gen.
orally expected that the admission fees
will either be raised to SO for men and
S1.50 for women or that racegoers will
have to pay for the privilege of betting
by purchasing at extra cost a ticket
to the betting rings.
BY refusing to accept as heretofore
the voluntary contribution of $57 daily
from each bookmaker the Jockey club
will be freed from legal entanglements
which are said to have been carefully
prepared by an old time poolroom
proprietor who had planned to begin
proceedings against the racing officials
on the opening day at the Gravesend
track, May %. The courts have held
that it is not a violation of law when
one man makes a bet with another.
The bookmakers have been allowed to
operate under this ruling.
In England the bookmakers operate
in portion of the track set aside for
them. This inclosure the race-going
public may enter on payment of ex-
ira fee and it is possible such a plan
will be in future developed In the New
York tracks.