The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
Says Racing AsSOci-
alton Aids Gamblers
New York Grand Jury Charges
Track Management With
Violating Law

NEW YORK, July S1.-RecOmmenda-
tion that Governor Hughes attention
be called TO the conditions existing
at the race. meeting at Brighton Beach
and Sheepshead Bay racetraeks and
charges that there have been systematic
and fiagrant violations OF the new anti
gambling law are made in a present
lnent handed down by the grand jury.
Inc grand jury also recommends that
TO the special laws under which the
racetrdckS now are operating and
lhat the provision of law permitting
the racing associations to employ spe-
ciaI policemen should be repealed II
IS asserted IN the presentment that un-
der the laws permitting the employ
ment or special policemen it has been
impossible for the authorities TO close
the grounds OF the associations, which
action would have been possible other
wise, because OF the lawlssS manner"
In which the racing grounds were con-
Quoted.
The grand jury says that it's pre-
sentiment is based on evidence laid be-
fore it and also upon personal investi-
cation made by committees appointed
by the grand jury. This investigation
disclosed, the preSentment says. that
the opportunities for gambling We're
among the attractions which the mana
gers or the raceCOurSe relied upon TO
attract crowds TO the tracks. and we
learn that very large. percentage OF
lLc 6ctE IcCClDtS LHdL GOQSULuLC the
income of these racing associations are
the result of maintenance OF gambling
on the racecOurSeS and of affOrdinE
to the public generally the opportunity
the races.
1T is not hard therefore. in the
light of these circumstances to discover
the reason why the officials of the race-
courses We're inactive in their efforts TO
enforce the law aud to prevent gam
bling upon the racecOurses.
1t was quite clear in proportion as
gambling was reduced on these race
courses just in that proportion would
the gate receipts and the profits of the
racing associations be reduced"
The presentment declares that while
for short period after the law went
into enect the police had been quite
aGtiVe IN suppressing and preventing
violations of the law, "at a certain per-
iod. their activity ceased
1t says that the members OF the
grand jury have no hesitation IN say
ing that the police department at that
time was not doing all IL could have
done to prevent the commission of
crime on the racecOurses. Later how
ever. when the grand jury called the
to conditions and requested that more
urgent means be adopted to have the
law observed. there was a change in
the personnel of the force at the race
We're enforced.
An application made by the COney
Island Jockey club for an Injunction
restraining Police Commissioner PfnS-
ham and his subOrdinates from inter
fering with the assemblage of orderly
persons on the racetrack." at Sleeps
head Bay. was denied today by Justice
Blanchard in the supreme court.
Bearing an official copy Of the grand
Jury's presentment. Acting District At
torney Robert III. Elder left today for
Saranac lake. where he will confer
with Governor Hughes or. the race
track situation. The governor has
made an appointment to mSet Elder
tomorrow at Saranac inn. Mr.. Elder
will submit to- the governor a huge
bundle of affidayits and evidence that
has come into his possession recently