New-York tribune., 1907-09-23

exert wider influence and stronger control OF
a sport that needs careful handling Inc en-
couraging nature of the different reports the
comprehensive talk n President Hotchklss ana
the optimistic outlook for automobiling led TO
the conclusion that the association IS worklhs
along the right lines. Perhaps the most I'M
portant business transacted was the appoint
ment Of a special committee to consider the
question of future sanctions for racing on cir
cular tracks. The effort revive this form OF
the sport this season has been fairly SUCCESSFUL
but has aroused at the same time some uh-
favorable criticism. Track racing is more or
less dangerous, and some of the most enthuslaS-
tic motorists are convinced that II does more
harm than good in considering the best interests
OF the industry by encouraging the speed MANIA
which, unfortunately is the crime of motor
ing. The meeting of the Morris Park Motor
drome Club on Friday and Saturday should fur
nish good object lesson to the committee ana
aid it in reaching a decision. The last meeting
at Morris Park successful in the main ana
the coming promises to be even more SO.
Racing of this kind provides wholesome enter
tainment when properly conducted, and teaches
many valuable lessons to those who are planning
TO buy 2 car, that it might not be we'll TO
prohibit them entirely 1t would be better per
haps, TO govern them more closely, and thus
prevent those things which arouse unfavorable
criticism while saving that branch of sport to
those who like to indulge in it.
THOROUGHBRED RACING.
! The stewards of the Jockey Club have duty
to perform before another racing season rolls
around. There is crying need for an amend
ment 10 the rules of racing anent the question
OF fouls and disQualiffcations. This is not the
first time The subject has been discussed in this
column, but there seems to be good reason for
calling attention TO il The rule as it
stands to-day leaves option with the stew
ards as 10 whether horse shall be disqualified
or not. They must decide simply If a foul has
Or haeu tied ripS
hands to a large extent in preventing rough and
foul riding. which should not be tolerated.
There was good case in point In the running of
the Ornnium Handicap some days ago. Notter, on
Brookdale Nymph hampered Nicol, on Dande-
lion, through the last furlong: not enough, per-
haps, to prevent the latter from winning. but
enough to have left some doubt in the minds Of
those who had bet Mr.. Hitchcocks horse.
The stewards did not sustain NicoIs claim Of
foul which meant that IN their opinion no foul
had been committed. Under the rule however
this also meant that Notter was not to blame
for a bit Of sharp practice that plain to all
who watched the race closely. BrookdaIe
Nynph should not have been disqualified in this
particular case. as she was the best horse as the
race was run. but Notter should have been
punished for resorting to unfair tactics A rule
should he framed to give the stewards authority
70 decide whether any interference prevented a
horse from earning better position in a race
when they could act accordingly and punish the
jockey or disqualify the horse as the case de-
manded.
PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL
Philadelphia and Detroit are still running
neck and neck in the pennant race in the Ameri-
can League It is probable that the final decis-
Ion Will not come until these two teams meet
Detroit has more and lost more games than
Philadelphia But they have been running so
close together that it has been foolish to try to
pick the winner. Even now II is impossible to
forecast the result. The Athletics seem to have
better pitchers. n he
evenly matched The Tigers have wonderful
manager and coach in Hughey Jennings. His
enthusiasm seems to have been infused into
every member of his team. The Detroit players
certainly put ginger" into their work and thew
never know when they are beaten. There was
never better example Of the value of a spirited
manager at the head Of a team than that fur
nished by Jennings. Chicago and Cleveland are
still in the race, but II appears to have mar
rowed down to Detroit and Philadelphia JudF-
ing by some Of Clark Grifflth's recruits the
Yankees should be nearer the TOP a year from
now. Ball, a shortstop or second baseman, and
Neuer are promising Then there is Bell
pitcher; Blair, a catcher, and q half dozen
others
In the National League interest has dwindled
down larnentably. Chicago is SO far ahead that
there Is no fight for first place, the pennant al
ready belonging to the Cubs. The disgracefuy
poor exhibitions given by the Giants last week
would indicate that they will be beaten out for
second place by Pittsburg. Hard luck is the
able that next year the New York manager will
make some changes and the local fans will see
several new faces the team. This has been
far from satisfactory for McGraw
Brooklyn had its troubles at Pittsburg last
week An unfortunate accident at second base
deprived the Superbas of their best batter and
one Of the finett in the league. While sliding to
second base Harry Lurnley broke his leg. He
VIII not play again until next season With
Lumley out Of the game Pittsburg had an easier
time in holding on to second place. There should
be some fun in the Smoky City when the Giants
and Pirates face each other in the final series
Aside from the importance Of these games. the
players on these two teams do not hold an extra
supply Of brotherly love for each other, as has
been attested several times in the past Pitts
burg has all the better Of it. for Clarks men
viii be playing on their home grounds.
TIMELY AUTO TOPICS.