New-York tribune., 1908-06-14
FEAR SHACKLES BETT0R
POLICE PRE-EMPT RING.
Ten Thousand Spectators at Races
Without a Bill an Sight.

D~NN'--o
feature to a degree calculated to suit the most
enthusiastic supporter of the racetrack reform
movement, was conducted yesterday afternoon
at the Gravesend racecourse in the presence OF
a holiday crowd of some ten thousand persons
Barring wagers made between the spectators
there was absolutely betting either in the
clubhouse or in the big ring in the field
During the course of the afternoon ten arrests
were made, but there was little excitement.
The betting ring was cleared before the first
race and absolutely deserted, save for the pres
ence of uniformed police, under Inspectors
'Brien and Flood, and a goodly number of
plainclothes men, On Friday the bookmakers
had been permitted to show the odds, marked
on Programmes but yesterday this was
forbidden with the result that the general pub
lie was absolutely deprived Of any chance of
getting down wager.
A few Of the bookmakers quoted odds and ae-
cepted verbal bets from customers whose credit
was known. but what little there was of this
sort of betting cut only = slnalt figure. Most OF
the s'bookies' sat disconsoately in the grand
stand or wandered atn1lessly about the lawn
discussing (rnosty without the dis) the turn
which affairs had taken.
CLUB OFFICIALS WITH POLICE.
The officials of the Brooklyn Jockey Club and
the Pinkerton detectives worked hand in glove
with the police to see that the letter Of the new
antf-betting law was carried out, and no friction
of any kind occurred.
.IIan Pinkerton summed the situation UP at
the close Of the racing when he said: There
has been no trouble here to-day. and there will
be none in the future. The District Attorney of
Kings County has agreed to go ahead with test
cases. but he is in no hurry. Meanwhile things
will continue as at present It's quiet all right;
there's no mistaking that
1t was plain to see from the way the racetrack
trains filed up at the Manhattan end of the
Brooklyn Bridge that the usual holiday crowd
of from 5000 to 10000 persons would not be in
attendance The trains which pulled out for
the course between 1 and 2 o'clock were only
comfortably filed. whereas in the past these
same trains have been jammed with strug
Cling mass Of humanity. The crowd of ten
thousand persons considered a large one,
however. in view of the altered conditions and
speculation was rife as to whether it was curl
osity or love of the thoroughbreds or a simple
desire for an afternoons outing which took the
people to the course.
TEST CASES PREPARING.
II vas learned yesterday on good authority
that Herbert Barry, OF the law firm of Davies,
Stone & Auerbach. and Mr.. Watson, of Nicoll
Anable, Lindsay & Fuller. would prepare three
at the discretion of Assistant District Attorney
Elder of Kings County. 1t is understood that
the plan is to bring habeas corpus proceedings
and carry the case through the higher courts If
necessary to establish three points which are
considered in1portant-first, to the legality of
posting or marking prices on programme:
second as to what constitutes betting under the
law, and. third, as to the construction of the
law IN its application to those who make bets
between themselves without recording them.
According to the construction Of Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Elder and the police, which are
acting under his instructions, any bet, whether
recorded or not, is violation of the new statute.
The Assistant District Attorney seems to be
alone in this construction. judged by the opin-
ion of two or three Senators and a number of
LAWYERS. who were at the track, who have read
the bill closely.
The settlement of these important questions
bv the courts may clear up the situation.
cording to a well known racing man. and make
it possible. perhaps, for some betting to go on
in a modified form. One lawyer stated positive
ly that there was no law in this state against
one man making a verbal bet with another man,
except in the of prizefghtng, and that
only the man who recorded the bet. either on
his cuff or on his programme was liable to
imprisonment.
CLUB OFFICIALS THANKED
Deputy Baker. who hand again to
heip see that the law was enforced, congratu-
lated the officials OF the Brooklyn Jockey Club
for the help and courtesy extended in the effort
to maintain order and that the law was
obeyed to the letter. P. j. Dwyer. president of
the Brooklyn Jockey Club; f. f. Hitchcock, III.
K Knapp and other stewards Of the Jockey
club expressed themselves as willing TO take
whatever construction the Assistant District At
torney of Kings County and the police put on
Continued second page.
DEWEY'S SAuTERNE OR MOSELLE.
Excellent Dinner Wines. in Warm Weather.
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