Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-13
UNIFORM JOCKEYS WALLETS
Demogeot Carries Off Honors in Ha-
vana Auto Race.
PRESIDENT PALMA A SPECTATOR
Mackay Won Gold Racquet-Golf at
Pinehurst and Palm Beach-Inter-
city Billiard Tourney.

The Jockey Club has taken another step
toward protecting the racegoing PUBLIC
against possible schemes laid in the betting
ring to get the money. says the New York
Sun Last year the Jockey Club, or rather
the WestcheSter Racing Association, put
rule into effect that practically Gagged the
riders between races so that NOBODY coulo
talk to them but their employers. Thls pan
was adopted because of the practice of nu-
merous well-known spectators In talking J"
Jockeys In the paddock before and after
races While there was never any con-
elusive proof that jockeys were fixed by
these persons, the confabs looked Dad ana
the officials of the turf decided to stop them.
The example set by Belmont Park in the
fall was followed by the other tracks, SO
that IL was a difficult matter to get word
TO the Jockeys in their temporary place or
confinement unless It was by means OF their
Wallets for each Jockey either of high or low
degree has a valet who looks after MS Ell
fects with the care of good servant FROM
time to time these Wallets have Deen mixed
up in stories of scandal. but there has been
no particular way to land one OF them.
They have acted in the capacity of con-
fidential agents for the jockeys, as wei as
servants and in that way have been able 10
do some very important things, 1t is said, In
the shape of private transactions with ava
ricious turfmen who believe that the true
spirit of sportsmanship lies in the possession
of an ace in the sleeve.
Wallets Not Known.
But while Jockeys are usually well known
Go racegoers and can be recognized any
where the valet hitherto has been able 10
travel about incog. He could whisper to his
employer in the paddock without attracting
attention. then hurry off for a confab with
some well-known plunger and even invade
the betting ring for an exchange or compL-
ments with several bookmakers. All this
has been possible without the knowledge OF
the general racegoing crowd, with the
Jockey Club meanwhile trying to discover a
remedy for the evil. But the remedy has
been found at last. and in future there VIII
be no peace of mind either for the unscupu'
loue jockey or his willing valet.
Robert Pinkerton. who has general super
vision of the race tracks in the interest OF
the Jockey Club, has been instructed to take
charge of this valet business AS result
he has decreed. in accordance with the stew
ards instructions, that no valet can be en-
ployed by a Jockey without first receiving
Pinkerton license. Furthermore all Wallets
must wear a regular uniform, numbered IN
such a manner that the wearers can be IN
stautly identified These licenses can be re-
voked by Mr.. Pinkerton at moments no
tice, which means that the offender Will be
barred from the jockeys room and prac-
tcaly ruled OFF the turf
While the Pinkerton sleuths will have
Wallets. it can be readily ppreciated under
the new order of events how easily wrong
doors can be detected by the racing public
il sharp eye is kept constantly peeled.
Will Be More Careful.
How many Wallets in uniform and wear
ing numbers which disclose their identity
will make trips from the Jockeys room to
the betting ring just as the horses are go
ing to the post? How many of them will
hurriedly whisper mysterious words in the
ears of sure-thing gentlemen in the pad
dock? 1t looks very much as If the Jockey
Club has succeeded at last in making the
operations OF shady persons extremely diff
hcult, although their complete obliteration
Is impossible Peculiar transactions on the
turf are not always confined to the tracks
They can be fixed up the night before, es
pecally when 1t is known what Jockeys are
going TO ride. But even the Jockeys are not
always the marks for corrupt schemers, for
the trainers can do much in their own quiet
way 10 bring about the defeat of a horse
which VIII naturally help the success of
another. still the Jockey Club has always
tried 70 keep line Oh the overnight opera
lions by means OF the Pinkerton slIushoe
men, who usually who are the com
panlons Of both jockeys and trainers away
from the raCetracks. In taking such action
the Jockey Club has fully recognized the
Importance of protecting the public as the
support Of racegoers has made racing a
Phenomenaly successful sport in this state
But at that the Jockey Clubs most inlpnr-
taut move in this direction was the sever
Ing of all financial relations with the bet
ting ring and the suppression of certain
bookrnakers who for time labOred under
the deiusiOn that they could dictate the
Policy OF the turf. All of which has ierVed
In doubiy increasing the public's confidence
IN the men who rule the turf In tho a,s,
without fear or favor.