The Washington times., 1906-02-12

any long reasons for admitting Jamaica
when such had been thought necessary
for refusing Empire City. The McCarren
track was licensed and all went merry
as a marriage bell The commission
gave up a little and received In return
great deal more.
A new scheme now Was formulated
and passed by the Legislature as an
amendment TO the Percy-GTey law.
! With Jamaica in. everything else must
be kept ont if the racing MONOPOLY
should remain the good thing it had
proved to be There must be no Dossi-
bIitty for any political combinati ton to
get into the business at all, without
the overthrow of race track legislation.
That is precisely what the amendment
of 1902 effects Stripped of verbiage II
provides that for all time no combina-
tion OF men shall engage in the horse
| breeding and horse racing business at
all. beyond those now engaged i'm IL.
and aggregated under the rule of the
Jockey Club.
That such law should be passed is
Incredible But there IL is on the statute
/ book, with hardly any attempt 10 dis
Euise its unconstitutional nature and
consequences.
The amendment refers to the eertih-
cate Of incorporation OF any body of
five or more who aim at going into the
business of horse breeding and horse
racing. the filing of such certificate be
ing made condition preceden. By the
original Pcrcy-GreY law. In terms the
amendment provides that. ''if such cor
bCA atlDA Ut dSSOElattDl was organized
after February !. 1862. and it claims the
right to conduct running race meetings
the certificate must have also indOTsed
! thereon or annexed thereto the approval
| or the state Racing Commission"
Copper Fastened Cinch
Copper fastened top and bottom. The
horse breeding and horse racing bust
ness is legitimate and highly beneficial
10 the country See the reports of the
Racing Commission TN support OF this
theory. If persons have the capital and
wish to engage in this business they
must go and see Belmont and get his
Endorsement or they cannot even file a
certificate of incorporation. Then they
must go back 10 Belmont and get a
license from him Then they must go
10 Belmont and get some dates on
which To race For Belmont is the
Racing Commission and the head aud
soul OF the stewards OF the Jockey Club.
and Belmont Is himself engaged in the
racing business and more interested
than any other man-in keeping everv-
body out Of the business which he cun-
trolls
With the powers conferred BY the
Percy-Grey law the Jockey Club had
no difficulty in suppressing all small
attempts 9t racing in the State. and
pire City Association has been dread
ful obstacle in its monopolistic path.
Inequitable and Inconsistent.
Forced 10 let Jamaica IN. how shall
consistency of conduct. not To say
equitab bic or even legal treatment, be
observed and Empire City barred? The
date specified in the amendment at
which the racing commission has the
tihcates of incorporation, was necessary
in order 20 provide for Jamaica, as It
was organized before February l 1902.
Empire City was incorporated before
Jamaica. aid could not be affected by
the date limit and the requirement Of
Endorsement.
Jamaica j. in and Empire City Is re-
fused. both standing on the same
grounds of right. any objection made 10
Empire City as formulated in the COM
missions report for 1900 existing in an
equal or greater degree in tie case OF
Jamaica. The Empire City people do
not require any Endorsement Of the Ger
tifcate of incorporation, but They may
poster the lives of Belmont and the
other members Of the commission for a
license, and, right or wrong, consistent
or Inconsistent. they viii be turned
down, for the racing trust does not pro-
pose TO have its profits cut into any
more. and il has the power to prevent Il.
Want Trust Busted.
OF coJT-se the legal remedy exists. and
the constitutiOnality Of the amended
law is an open question. TO say the
least. While the racegoing public is not
much concerned as to whose rights are
conserved and respected and whose vio-
lated. provided sport with the horses is
provided on regal scale. it is believed
that a large constituency Of the people
at large would be glad to see the princt-
pie at issue iudiciaIIy decided and
would rejoice TO see Mr. Butler sue
ceed.
few things from the racing situation
in the West. But, like the Bourbons.
they seem incapable OF learning any
thing or forgetting anything. There is.
however, one easy way out of the en-
barrassing situation the institution finds
itself in, a short and simple one. should
those in power see fit to act. The term
of Office of the present racing commits
sion expired almost q year ago Bel
mont and his associates are hoid-overs
People not acquainted with political ma
ehinery wonder at the existing status
1t is up to the governor or the State
10 put an end at once TO this worse
than anomaly by appointing forthwith
three good men to run the racing affairs
OF the state. no one of whom shall he
pecuniarily interested in the business of
breeding and improving horses through
Tacetracks.