The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-02-17
Secretary James M. Belden, OF
Road Horse Association, Makes
Hit in Turf Congress.
BY WALTER ]. Y

ny WALIEK j. SNYDEK.
That the Road Horse Association Of
New Jersey acted wisely when 1t Sc
to represent the association at the BIZ
ennial meeting of the Turf Congress,
held last week in the Murray Hill
Hotel. New York, was evident to all
who attended the meeting and heard
his eloquent and effectual speech in
behalf Of the new rule governing anna
teur matinee racing. Entering the
meeting unknown, he left it the best
known and most praised of the 300 III
attendance. and not only brought the
local association universal prominence
but also himself.
The vehicle on which the secretary
rode to prominence was the much agi-
tated rule which the amateur matinee
associations have demanded for sew
eral years, namely to charge the pub
lie admission to witness the matinee
races conducted by amateur associa-
tons, but the horses winning such
races not to incur the penalty of a pro-
fessional record or bar, providing no
entrance money was charged the on
tending horses nor any ash premium
was awarded the winners of such races.
About every amateur club of impor-
lance VAS represented, and each in
turn had something to say in favor of
the advocated rule, but it was Mr..
Belden's eloquent plea that received
hearty applause and was pronounced
the most effective.
1t will be recalled that several years
~@ ~ t. ~ DsIIs--- ,- -.
worlds champion ~trotter, Lou Dillon
Q:5s1s), representing the Cleveland
Club; Frank Jones, of Memphis; Harry
X. Devereaux, representing the ANA
teur League; Senator Horace White, of
the Syracuse Club; Frank Bower, of
the Philadelphia Club, and many other
prominent and influential men inter
ested in matinee racing, made an un-
successful attempt to have a similar
rule adopted. But, like many efforts
of the keen far-seeing business man
who is just ahead of the average citi-
zen, the rule was defeated by an over
whelming majority, because that ma
jority which ruled at the time did not
appreciate the value to matinee racing
of such a rule. 1t was not the psy-
Geological time. but, judging from the
overwhelming majority by which the
rule was adopted at the recent meet
ing, these men have come to recognize
it's value.
There is 10 doubt that the rule will
work much good in many localities
where in the past this style OF racing
has been a failure through the lack of
revenue which could only be obtained
by subscription. The new rule opens a
-. - ...,l..o 49,. ~lf-r- -.
penses of maintaining a matinee club
can be betrayed. Matinee racing is not
a~lone>a pasttime or sport to those in
dulging in it, but also creates a reason
for the developing of the light harness
horse long lines for which he is partly
intended. 1t creates q market for the
breeder, and further compels that
breeder to breed a class of horses that
are not only useful on the track. but
also on the speedway, in the parks, on
the road.
The average man is not satisfied with
a horse that is solely a speed marvel.
He demands the other qualities mem
toned, while the average ma who
races exclusively. professionally cares
only for speed, stamina and
which are the earning qualities. Ap-
pedTbDc6s StyE SlHN anu OddSI +
qulities are seldom given a thought.
Now thai the rule has been adopted
it is quite likely that the local associa-
ton will be one of the very few which
will not take advantage of it, at least
for the present. Weequahic Park,
the association now holds its
matinee races, Is public grounds, hence
the impossibility of charging the public
a II r,1fggiota Ia xUitnaGc tho roafar c..
Belden is authority for the state
mont that the association will continue
to use the "old Waverly track for
time to come. and the public will
still enjoy the sight of noble steeds
contesting their right of supremacy
with assistance of the amateur driver
without cost.
However" said Mr.. Belden, tive will
probably hold a one or two-day meet
under the conditions of the new rule
some time next fall at the Olympic
Unless necessity, through lack of
funds in the treasury to meet expenses.
eonfronts the association. it is hoped
they will defer adopting the paid
admission matinees. The local assoc
was built up along different lines
and has enjoyed and is enjoying the co.
operation of its members and many
business men and Will probably con-
to for some time to come. Prizes
innumerable have been donated, but,
as Mr.. Belden says, the time may ar
when these gifts will not be made.
Then, and not before. should the assoc
avaiI itself Of the rights pro-
vided by the new rule.
The monetary feature should never
be allowed to influence the manage
True. by charging admission,