New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-15
NEW TROTTING RULES.
Messrs. Billings and Butler Not Re-
elected as Stewards.

tional Trotting Association was held yesterday
afternoon at the Murray Hill Hotel In this
city. No less than 341 members were repre-
scented. and the attendance made up OF
prominent horsemen from all over the country.
The result OF the meeting a sweeping vic
tory for the "old guard" conservative els-
ment 1t rumored that friends of O. X. G.
Billings and James Butler intended to put an
opposition ticket IN the field No opposition
however. developed from this quarter. When II
came TO the election OF stewards. however,
Messrs. Billings and Butler were both dropped
from the boards.
The entire morning was devoted to an execu-
tive session in which the credentials OF the mem
bers were looked into. The afternoon session
was public meeting at which many and
important amendments to the racing rules were
adopted. The members OF the rules committee
included William Russell Allen. Pittsheld. Mass;
Horace W. Wilson. Lexington, KY; j. NJ. John
son. Calais. Me-: William H. Gocher. Hartford.
Conn: r. ]. Carter. Richmond. Va: Colonel
Robert B. Hough. Baltimore. Md; II. n. Balm
Poughkeepsie. N Y. and H B. Shall. Allen
town. Pa.
Perhaps the most important rule passed at
the meeting was that pertaining TO the author
ity of race circuits OF five more tracks 70
appoint stewards. That this rule would be
passed was announced in The Tribune last Mon
day. The rule as passed reads:
Any circuit of five or more tracks belonging
to either tho American National association
may, after Incorporation, have the authority TO
appoint racing Stewards who shall have full
power over the racing at the tracks OF the cir
cult The names Of these stewards shall be SUD-
mitted to the presidents Of the American ana
National associations. and If the mountainous
are agreed to by both the parent associations
they will constitute a governing body Tor the
circuit by which they are named. acting 1ointly
for the tracks and the parent association, ana
their decisions shall be binding until the close
OF racing on the circuit for which they act
WIND SHIELD IS BARRED.
The general trotting horse public will. per-
haps. take the most interest in the amendment
made TO Rule IS by which the use Of wind
shields is barred. This rule now reads that In
all performances against time pacemaker may
accompany the trotter or PAGER. but shall not
run ahead Of him to break the natural resistancs
Of the atmosphere.
The reason announced for passing this rule
was because experience had shown that the
wind shield aided trotters and PAGERS to gain
records from three to eight seconds faster than
these same horses were capable of making
under normal conditions. It was decided that
the practice of admitting such performances to
the records in a separate class had led TO con-
fusion and also manifestly unfair to the
horses which had taken records IN the regular
way.
The failure Of some tracks TO report 10 the
compilers Of the official Year Book has in past
years led to frequent errors in the records by
which many horses have been credited with
| records much faster than they could possibly
have made. Therefore. IN view OF these diff
culties 1t was decided TO do away with wind
shield records altogether hereafter. 1t was re-
marked, after this rule was passed. that both
| the worlds championship trotting mark OF
15S15 held by Lou Dillon, and the worlds
| championship pacing record OF 1:55A. held by
Dan Patch. wind shield records. So too.
| are the sensational marks made by Prince Alert
two years ago. well many OF the records
made and held by Major Delmar.
Some strong protests were made against sew
eral of the new rules adopted. but the majority
OF the congress seemed TO be heartily IN favor OF
committee were passed
FAKE RECORDS RULED AGAINST.
Another important amendment was also made
to Rule 43. This related TO the making Of off,
cial records and provides that meetings where
official records made must be advertised
in the local papers at least one week In ad-
vance. There must also be two bona fde races
each day. This will tend to prevent fake"
records like the mark which Crescsus was sup
posed to have taken at Wichita. Kan, two
years ago. but which was not allowed by the
turf authorities.
Another important ruling was that In future
all starting judges must be licensed. w P
Ijams. the president Of the American Trotting
Association. is said TO be the sponsor for this
rule. 1t is counted on to correct many OF the
abuses Of the trotting turf. By 1t all tracks
will be required to engage starting judges ap-
proved and licensed by the parent associations.
These licensed judges will then be held respon-
sible to the parent association for the proper
forcement of the rules and the correct timing
Of the races. They will be expected to report
any irregularities and will exercise IN a measure
the functions of supervisors.
An amendment was passed which provides
that no horse sold or bargained for after D.
m: of the day preceding engagement shall be
eligible TO compete Rule 81 was amended to
prevent the employment in any capacity around
a racetTack or stable of a person who has been
suspended or ruled off for any offence whatever.
Had this rule been the books and lived up
TO in the past number OF the recent scandal
cases which have stirred I'D the trOtting horse
world would not have been possible
The most spirited contest at the late session
was over the adoption Of rule to prevent
drivers or riders from resOrting 10 the use Of a
watch while in race. The rule was one to be
added Rule 3, in relation 10 drivers and
riders, which reads follows:
No driver or rider shall be permitted 10 carry
timing watch in race except by consent OF
the judges.
H K Devereux. Of Cleveland Ohio, a member
OF the district board. protested against it being
adopted. declaring that it was uncalled for
The intimation that the carrying Of watch IN
a race for the purpose of cheating he said was
absurd. The owners Of horses he further
stated gave much money for the training and
timing of their trotters. and il the watches were
done away with It would be hard to tell what
pace they were going in the heats
John Welty. OF Canton. Ohio. differed with Mr.
Devereux In relation to the rule. and believed