Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-16
FOR SHORT RACES
In GRAND CIRCUIT.

NEW YORK. January 16.-Through nine
cut or ten members of the grand circuit vot-
ed to abolish the antiquated three-in-five
system Of harness racing at meetings to be
held In 1905. the stewards OF the organiza-
ton yesterday decided not to force any
particular plan Of trotting upon the tracks
represented IN the league. but to permit the
management of each track to choose its
own method of conducting the sport.
Inc conference took place at the Hoffman
House. The stewards present were D. J.
Gampau. the president. of Detroit: James
butler of New York and c. K. G. Billings
OF Memphis. H. M. Hanna of Cleveland
and +. d. Perkins Of Providence were alb
sent. but the former was represented by
II. ~ Devereaux, while A. II. Moone repre-
scented Mr. Perkins and the Providence
track Other tracks represented were Hart
ford and Cincinnati by a. ]. WEIGH; Pough-
Reepsie. by II. N. Balm. and Buffalo. by c.
Messrs Bentley. C. M Jewett and De
fofest Settle, who were appointed at the
annuaI meeting last week to report on
UNIFORM system of harness racing for the
ana they accordingly recommended that
me . old plan of go-as-you-please be con-
Snueo, which recommendation was ratified
by the stewards.
providence for Three-in-Five.
providence and Poughkeepsie favored the
three-in-fve system Hartford and Cincin-
natl were non-committal, but inclined to
follow Providence. Detroit and Buffalo vot-
cd Tor heat dashes. which system they had
tried last year. Cleveland and Memphis
were opposed to three-in-ive, but whether
.hey wanted heat dashes or two-in-three
was not learned.
After the meeting 1t developed that
foughkeepsie would willingly adopt any
pan , acceptable to the other tracks in the
circuit IN order to bring about q uniform
system of racing. This declaration from
Mr.. Balm left Providence alone as the spon-
sor Ior three-in-f1ve, it being understood
that Boston. Syracuse and Columbus which
S @eIe not represented yesterday. had signi-
Heo their willingness to adopt the heat
dash system
Wnile the stewards took no formal action
70 compel abandonment of three-in-dye. the
Icing Icing among individual members of the
circuit was that the antiquated system had
seen It's day and that before the circuit
opened all tracks, with the possible excep-
uon or providence, would be in line for
shorter races.
rms feeling was materially strengthened
when John Dickerson, a prominent profess
siohal driver, who trains for w. B. Dick
erman Of Mamaroneck declared that he
would not enter horse in three-in-fve
race TINS year If he had to let his trotters
stand idle. Dickerson said further that he
would leave no stone unturned to induce
others who campaign horses in the grand
.hSuil " WltnnOlQ tnelr entries from meet
lngs where the three-in-f1ve system pre-
walls He intimated that the agreement en-
tered into by owners and drivers last sea-
son would be revived, and that If the stew
ARDS or members of the circuit failed to act
the drivers and owners might themselves
force action by boycotting the long drawn
out races of the three-in-five system
May Revive Old Agreement.
Ed Geers. ]. G. Gatcomb. A. L. Thomas
and. In fact, nearly every driver of note
who campaigned harness horses in the
grand circuit last year, signed an agree
ment to make no more entries In three-in-
nVe races. This agreement was abrogated
temporarily on account Of it's severe effect
on the trotting meetings for which entries
were just then closing. Should the signers
revive 1t before the opening Of the coming
campaign members Of the grand circuit
would have to choose between abolishing
three-in-fve races or losing 80 per cent OF
the entries made by the leading owners and
trainers Of the United States
The stewards will hold another meeting
in Chicago on February T. to consider a re-
port then to be submitted by Messrs Bill
ings. Devereaux and Bentley respecting
recommendations for changes in the rules
OF harness racing. and also to consider
further uniform plan Of trotting for the
coming campaign in the grand circuit.
Robert N. Newton of Yorkville, ILL.,. was
reelected starting Judge, and George Hoyt
of Binghamton. N. Y, was reelected pre-
siding judge for the year.