New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-12
BILLINGS WON'T TALK.
nI-IET ON TURF scandal.
Horsemfn Haze VarWng Opinions
on Lou Dillon Case.

yesterday in the turf scandal caused by the
,ssree made against f. f. smathers that he
pns party to the drugging of the mare Lou
Dllon i'm her race with Major Delmar at Mem
,,hs in October. 1904
one of these is that Murray Howe. formerly
sscetary of the Memphis Racing Association.
rbo Is prosecuting the charge against Mir.
,-,stbers is now secretary TO the president OF
she Chicago Gas Company. I'm which-C h @.
puines. who owns Lou Dillon. is one of the
rr,nciual stockholders.
rbis connection is interesting. because il is
.hs general impression that Mr.. Billings. long a
4vaI or Nj smathers on the turf, is behind the
rroceedngs against him.
~ billings arrived here Yesterday morning
from chicago and last evening at his home No
go s.h-ave.. refused to make any statement for
,shlicatior He would not even deny that he
bss encouraged the proceedings against Mr.
srsthers and the seizure Of the cup won by
Major Delmar in his race with Lou Dillon.
MURRAY Howe. whose name appears as com
-ls;nsut AT the Hoffman House yesterday as
su,ed the full responsibility for the action
Z am here 10 prove that the mare was tam
rcre5 ith i'm the race" said Mr. Howe. Il have
,aRsI documents with which to prove our case
an court ~ the proper time shall not fry to
.rif the responsibility Immediately after me
enish of the first heat Of the Major Delmar Lou
ni1oD race ] became convinced that there was
something wrong with the mare. and took an
oath that would get 70 the bottom of the thing
rit took lifetime. I wanted 70 satisfy myself
and others who were Of the same opinion as my
self"
Against this statement Of conspiTacE 10 de-
prive Americas greatest trotting mare "f her
laurels is that OF Ell Ager. well known turi-
man who is staying al the Imperial Hotel. anu
Who Is acquainted with both Mr. Smsthers and
Mr Billings. He asserted yesterday that he was
positive that he race was honestly Won saying;
was an eyewitness Of that race and I am
SUE thet it Was run on the square. There was
,r Hdcatiou that dope was used 20 check Lon
I'ITca's speed. J iosi 500 the race which
iet. against S2'Ai. on Lou Dillon. but J have no
couplaint make. I know both M Smathers
sud Mr. Billings and know them "a be gentle
men.
sMATHERs DID NOT BET.
From another trustworthy source it was
learned that NJ. Smathers had made no wage-s
on his horse. L has been said that he won Soc
0aa on the victory of Major Delmar
The informant continued
mr. smathers did not wager as much as 10
cents the race. If there was anything wrong
with Lou Dillon il that she strained
and overtrained think this whole proceeding
Is shame There are several turf tribunals to
which those who bring the charges of a plot
against Lou Dillon could have laid the matter
without resorting 70 the courts.
They did not choose the proper channel for
the proceedings. They could have appealed for
Estisfaction 70 the National Trotting Associa-
ss which meets or The Az sFicals
year, the Turf Congress, which holds an
annual session. That would have been the
proper course 70 pursue.
An important development was the fact that
It was nor Nard Sanders former trainer for
Mr. Billings who swore 10 an affidavit charging
Mr. Smathers with conspiracy. was at first
reported. but his brother, Edward Sanders.
Miard Sanders who is in Pleasanton. Cal. has
denied In a telegram that he ever made an af-
hdavit in correction with the scandal
Besides Edward Sanderss statement there fig
ures la the case an affidavit by George w. Spear.
formerly trainer for Mr.. Smathers and at one
Z tine driver Of trotters. The latter's name was
once before associated with turf scandal.
Fifteen years ago at Cleveland he was charged
with pulling Temple Bar In important race
al the Grand Circuit meeting He was expelled
ron all tracks with membership in the National
lfoluuS Association Spear made confession.
on The strength OF which he was reinstated. and
PEELED
that he had covered everything I'm his affidavit
sno would discuss the no further.
Sanders, who is now in st. Louis is said To be
professional card player and racetrack fol-
lover. He was present al Memphis when Lou
Dillon WAS beaten by Major Delmar and had
bet his limit on the mare.
TALE TOLD OF ANIMUs
There Was a story told yesterday Of a possible
snlmus for the present charge against Mr..
Smathers. II dates back 10 the resignation Of
MI Billings from the New-York Driving Club
Mr Billings. il was said. has not been friendly
With the New-York Driving Club since he re-
signel from il. II for this club that Mr..
Snathers raced Major Delmar and won the cup
Nhlch has been taken from him. He then re-
oelNed II as a present from the club
Mr Billings caused $4,000 I'm purses won on
NE Empire track by horses belonging to James
4ef had manager named Salisbury. The rules
~ ne driving club We're that when a member
ialed 10 pay his entrance fee Of 81 900 he should
tofieit al purses won by his horses. Mr. Billings
Cla1ined mat salisbury was part owner in the
huter stable, and as he had not paid his
$4,000 won by his standard breds
Inc case was heard by the board Of review.
Ar Butler was represented by Benjamin Tracy
and Won mis- case
Mr smsthers received a number OF kilograms
yesteroey from turtnen throughout the country.
IL which the senders expresseG ,bsSr tIo,,
Al tne charge against him and their onipion
thst ne was absolutely innocent OF any un-
sportsmanlike conduct
II is probable that tomorrow, the Sher,e ,,.,Il
return 20 Mr.. Smethers the tronh, taLen from
Me home last WEDNESDAY Mr. Snathar. ba 3
given a bond OF 5000 for It's rernra 90 him
pending legal proceedings ~
Mr.. Smathers will not wait for .ba .o,,op
brought against him by MURRAY Howe for the
cup and $500 damages 70 come Iln for rial but
VII insist on an early vindication IN cour,
The suit against him Will probably, not he
reached on the calendar this year "