Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-02-20
M|LL|ONA|RESS
OPPOSE RACE
TRACK LAW
GAMBLING ON TRACKS
FINDS ABLE DEFENDERS
Betting Declared Only an Incl
dent But Indispensable One
to Main Object of Improving
Breed of Horses,

Breed of Horses,
tBy Morning Journal Special Leased Wire I
Albany n Y. Feb 19.-Mnlion-
aires, race track followers, cIergymen
lawyers and legislators were repre-
sented at the hearing today before tha
Joint senate assembly code committe,
on the Agnew-Hart bin to amend tho
/ penal code so as to prohibit gambling
on race thacks, as suggested by Gov
ernor Hughes. AT Z o'clock tonight
after four hours discussion, the hear
ing was adjourned until Wednesday,.
, March During the interval it is
intimated that August Belmont, chair
man Of the jockey club win call a
meeting Of that organization to agre.
upon certain suggestions to be sub
mited to the legislative committee de
cided to check gambling by young
men. Among those who made briet
remarks We're Mr.. Belmont, James r
keene, owner of many famous race
horses, and p. Fl. johnson of Ken
lucky president Of the national tot-I
ling association.
The principal address against tie
bill was made by Joseph S. Aurbacb !
attorney for the jockey club. who up !
held the so-called unconsttution dis /
elimination in the present Percy
Grey law, under which betting is per
mitted on race tracks subject only 10
the penalty of the recovery in a civil 4
action of the amount wagered. He l.
declared that the measure would ere
ate discrimination against the race
tracks and favor the pool rooms, and
criticised Governor Hughes for maxi
ne "a speech here and speech there
md with full scenic effects" in sup. F..
port Of the bill. He said that two
'ears ago a similar bill was introdu -
ID bus that after Rev. DE- Slicar and
3ishop Doane had been informed that
t was promoted by the pool rooms ,,
hey withdrew their endorsements of
t. Il am not saying" he continued,
that this bin was prompted by the ,
'ol rooms, but | do say that it is
n the interest of the pool rooms"
49, ''' '''''H' was Bi'IllIleu 10 say
rev words by question by Sena-
of HlII as whether the Jockey club -
QUA suggest some means Of check q
" tlle tendency OF young men
ahiple' MI Belmoht said That off -
ana ne couId not but ne would cali ="
i'eelIHs OF the cIup TO consider tn I
laItef ,,
haclns IS not conducted for the ~
axe or betting continued Mr. Be- -
'o"'' pu' ioF the pfeedihg "I horses
ne oI tne lhcldehtS OF racing is bet -:
hg ana / must say that it is indis- "
t. 7llsa ple' put II Is only an incident Ga
81 think" said James r. Keene, ~
mat the Dill raised by Governor ~,
ushes ana pending before the leg tb
u lure Noulu SIMPLY transfer the
'ttIhs from lhe race track to the ice
1oi room ana the moral erect de- in
reo "ouIu not De accomplished. m
senator McCarren asked Mr. Keene sp
," much ne bet on the races. II br
'Ver bet replied Mr. keene, 'eA- an
pit two or three times a season on iss
me one elses horses 4.
Asked by Senator Agnew if he did
II oeheVe the pool rooms We're ri
)sed now, Mr, keene said;
l thlnk there are at least 100 poo,
oms now open in New York and You to
n pet all the money you want and Sc
ere Is nothlng to stop it, Governor too
lghes knows little about this ques- sh'
N ana like many reformers, he ha pld
'ked upon one side of the question ia
d has not looked at the other" I9i