The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-21
IGNORES THE BOOkMAKERS.
How English Jocltey Club Acts Toward
Members Of the Ring"


Tho English Jockey Club ignores the
bookmaker and his claims, and although
there are rules governing betting and all
classes Of wagers no mention is made Of
the layer OF odds or what his qualification
must be to figure in the ring, Any man
can make book, provided he is able to pay
his debts; it is not necessary for him
to have the sanction of the fraternity to
take his place in the paddock, and there is
no syndicate to dictate to him where he
may pitch his stool, in the front row" or
otherwise. STILL there is the regular army
Of men who follow bookmaking as liveli-
hood and who among themselves observe
certain rules and regulations whioh take
the place of a code Of printed laws.
In 1892 an attempt vas made to get the
Jockey Club to sanction license system
for bookmakers in order, it was said, to
protect the public from the welshers and
other dishonest characters that follow the
turf. H. H. Fry, a big bookmakcr. was
delegated to lay the project before the
stewards-I,ord Durham. Lord March and
Mr., Houldsworth. Furthermore, Fry stated
that the reputable bookies were willing to
pay high fee for their licenses which
should be devoted to the raising OF a de-
tectve force to be placed at the disposal
81 the Jockey Club, The scheme came
before the stewards at the Hpughton meet
Ing and was Immediately referred to the
executive. At the same time tho stewards
wanted to know If the denizens of the
ring" we're unanimous in agreeing to the
fee. and on learning that there was a kick"
In some quarters the matter fell through.
This was the first and last attempt made to
register bookmakers in England, or to gain
any recognition from the Jockey Club.
But although the Jockey Club pays no
mittee Of rooms at Newmarket and the
committee at Tattersalls. They have a
code Of laws which, though never inc!u led
In the book calender. are referred to on all
occasions necessary and are considered
the turf. Cases which come up suddenly
at race meeting rs are always handled by
the Newmarket committee. II the score
tary is notified OF the case in the evening
the committee can be appealed to next
morning and the case can be disposed OF,
One of the gravest ofrenses either a book
maker or hacker has to fear from thsee
committees is a failure to liquidate his
betting liabilities. According to the rules
OF betting he has a whole year to settle
The debt; il he fails to do 80 he is then posted
IN conspicuous place at Newmarket and
at Ta.tersalls, and he Is then branded for
life, TIL ceraulter is also report ed to
the stewart>s of The Jockey Club and after
that. II be possesses TIE least atom of sell
Iespec', he Is never secn on q race course.
II he dNes appear he * liable in an instant
70 rapid ejectnoat and perhops rough
'reetneni. Ever in after yearsif he should
come hack with enough money and dis
charge his obligations, the stigma remains
II manentl upon him.
Al he taagiis!i meets there are no betting
stands like IN So at the race courses In
America, the bDonie iakina his stand. which
u generally a little stool about couple Of
,set high and from This unpret cntio,is perch
," backs tho field" bar -one' or "two,"
keeps mis- casa in a leather satchel swung
rom his neck. wi Il his clerk or shcetwriter
les!de him, Of course. this does not mean
That he can do business in tho grand stand
or any place his fancy iempts him. Tho
local race committee stipulatcs where he
snail set up shop opd he has 10 lie satisfied
with tie location Sr else get out. Book
makers too, Eve 20 be careful Of t err Ian
guage and a few have been known 20 Re
reprimanded for the use Of words considered
m the United St,!tes 10 lie part of the every
day Vocabulary. Seve..l years ago thc
Jockey Club refused TN application by
some swell hoosEakerJ for the privilege
OF erecting temporary umbrella over their