New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-11
SNATHERS LOSES CUP.
DENIES DRUG CHARGE.
gorseman Says Hen Prone He DID
Not Tamper scith Lou Dillon.

.nartnaent at the Pierpont. IN West 3od-st
D..-,eutlv denied yesterday the charge that he
"a knowledge OF the administration OF drugs
ne famous racing mare Lou Dillon, owned
tx C. Billings. in her race a year and a
-, seo with Mr.. Smsthers's Major Delmar at
Memphis
"a Ar. smathers TO q Tribune reporter.
-.ere has probably never been a scandal as
,.,es with the American turf that has caused
- general interest than this one which con-
- with il the name Of one of its leading fig
. NJ SInathers charges directly George w.
- who trained Major Delmar for him, and
-, he discharged last June, and one Saun-
= Uho trained Lou Dillon for Mr. Billings
,rsough Mr.. Snathers made no direct state
., thai the latter is also party TO what he
,.-pes is 8 conspiracy, he said: 1T is easy 10
who is behind this charge. We can read
hs-Ween the lines"
~ first intiuation that there was any suspi-
= NJ crookedness IN the victory OF Major
,.,rs- over Lou Dillon on the track OF the
,,,-,,his Racing Association in October. 1904
= when Deputy Sheriff John Murray on
--os,essay. or q replevin, seized the massive
- ,nn valued at $1,000 which the feetfooted
80 Delrlar won for his owner. The re-
-, proceedings were brought by a repre-
1--we in this city OF Murray Howe. who
,r,s formerly secretary OF the Memphis Racing
Association.
,,- su,arhers. who was out OF the city re-
.y-ned on Thursday, and. as he said yester-
- vss durfounded when informed thst the
tlrhlv priced trophy. probably one OF the most
@1s,o-afe ever awarded, had been seized the
,-or,s that il was not honestly won. Il never
- srv idea" he said. that any man ever
so,sre5 hat my horse secured a fair and square
,s.,o-v over Lou Dillon. and that two men
o,l5 swear that I plotted 10 drug the mare
,as hardly believable. The charge is preposter-
ous"
As soon Is he could make arrangements with
surety company 8Ir. Smathers furnished
tond for s. 600 which he deposited with the
sheriff for the return Of the cup. II will prob
sbIy be returned 10 him on Tuesday, pending
further action 10y Mr. Howe.
The loss of The cup did not IN itself give the
,ureran any concern. but he appeared TO feel
deeply that his name, for years asso-
GATED with honest sportsmanship, should be
DRAGGED into a scandal most unenviable for q
true sportsman. Il IS. according 10 one &C
ouainted with both Mr. SmaIhers and Mr.
Billings. a most unfortunate elimination OF
rivalry that existed between the two horsemen
for many years, and really had its beginning on
the Speedway in this city. Mr.. Smathers indi-
recty confirmed this view when he said yester-
Gay:
ANYBODY who has a knowledge OF what has
been going II IrOttlng circles for the last Few
years VIII see al once that IL Is conspiracy anu
guess who is behind il ! never heard OF any
Thing wrong with the race al Memphis. 1 knew
Major Delnar could beat Lou Dillon And prob
ably Mr. Billings considered the Major good
horse for when ] sold my trotters month after
that race he bought Major Delmar and paid
N60G0 Tor him. And now, year ana half
after The race. they trump up this charge OF
doping
IL the famous race IN which Major Delnar
beat Lou Dillon, going the mile in 2:o4%. the
latter was the favorfte and much 10 the surprise
Of horse1neu. was beaten two straight heats.
wear and q half ago Mr. STnathers became
actively interested II thoroughbred racing. He
sold his trorters and purchased large stable.
Including the $4,000 McChesney. The latter
however did not race up 10 expectations he-
Gently M Sluathers sold his thorOughbreds
Mr.. Billings. who has large commercial inter
egTg i'm chicago. is one OF the foremost trot-
ting hOsemen in the country. He has breeding
farm IN Kentucky and a stable and training
quarters IN Cleveland. SAID 10 nave cost MN
about SIbnufi. he also has stable on " ASH
ingtOn Heights near the Speedway MI BlIllngs
never campaigns his horses, driving them only
Al maIinees or for exhibition purposes Lou
Dillon Q-JSi9J holds the worlds trotttng rec
* 1884, Her rivals 'NA'0F D'imA'' record Is
Chicago. Feb 1O-C. X c. Billings. owner Of
Lou Dillon is now on his way to New-York.
and II is understood that he is decidedly averse
70 any PARTICIPATION In the controversy regard
ing the s. 600 gold cup awarded 20 E Z. Smath-
ers. Of New-Yorll, when Mr.. Smatherss trot-
ier Major Delnlar defeated Lou Dillon at Mem
phis in October, 1904
There are. however several men in this city
who witnessed the race between Lou Dillon and
Major Deluar, and have been familiar with the
progress OF The investigation begun by the Mem
Ihis Driving Association shortly after its con-
cusicn- one Of these men said to-day:
i is incredible that the Memphis Driving AS
ISOLATION would take steps OF so radical a nat
uFe without possessing evidence which IL re-
Dered with
The matter was OF such Importance that the
action which has been taken could not have
been the result Of any sudden determination,
pul must have been the result Of generalization
tho carefully conceived and executed plans. In
view OF this fact, the driving association. be-
leFrg that great wrong has been perpe-
Sfated, had 10 be carefully persistent and I'M
Tagging ~ running down all OF the clews which
were developed. The association met with the
usual difficulties attendant upon unearthing a
tIenealtated conspiracy. and il vas only after
Inc conspiracy was developed and circUm-
Stances pointing unerringly TO the consultation
u tne scheme had been disclosed that all the
evidence secured WAS laid before counsel, who
y appears have taken action IN the courts. The
Sesl FeteTinar1es in the country have IN turn
LAC Lou L1Ilcp under their care and scrutiny,
-. - 70 TINS DAY none Of them are able TO say
mat she VIII ever recover her former great
res assuming that the legal action for the re-
.oNery OF me cup is brought TO g. successful
1ssuss Il y .aalilest that probably the least i'm
portAnt feature OF the matter has been settled
ana there VII sun remain the graver questions
- - .or the damages done 70 the
mare as Wen as the personal resDonsibilitv in
HolFeS. ~ me association Succeeds 81 the ac-
tlon Tor the recovery OF the Gun The s+-nosoT.
tAaEaeLer o. INC WrOrlg dnre