The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-13
,TRO7T|NG SOLONS
MEET NEXT MONTH
Legislation Then Enacted Will
Hold for Two Years OH Ma
tional Association Tracks.
SHORT RACES FOR COLTS
Rule Will Be Offered Limiting
hrce--Year-Old Events to
Best Two III Three Heats.

NEW YORK, January 12.-The bien-
NAL congress OF the National Trotting
Association will convene February 18TH
at the Murray Hill Hotel, New York
City. The COMMITTEES on credentials
credentials OF the delegates. while the
meeting Will open at II A. NJ.
All tracks In membership with the
national association are asked to make
suggestions OF changes In the exis Ing
the secretary on or before February
9TH. The congress will be the TWEEN
ty-fourth event In the history Of the
association, and all changes made u IN
ton enacted Will be in force for the
next two years.
It Is expected that number of I'M
tportant que lions will be brought be-
proposed changes are accepted and put
In the rules they will. in the opinion OF
those who are making the suggestions.
greatly benefit the harness turf. AT
ers' Association in this city. last No.
vember. resolution was adorted
against the racing of three-ye ar-olds
in longer races than best three.
and since then the general opinion OF
been strongly In favor of this resolu-
ton.
The congress, therefore will be ask
ed to make such changes In rule AZ.
section IL. as will not permit any
association to make exceptions to that
rule. The section referred to says that
races for two and three-year- must
be mile heats. best two In three, where
no distance or way OF going is speci.
to make Its own conditions for race,
It Is desired that this rule be made
absolute.
Licenses for drivers. III
The Issuing OF license to every
driver who participates in a race over
the national tracks is being strongly
OF this kind will greatly benefit the
turf. This was tried just one season
some years ago. but It was repealed,
although none OF the regular drivers
Those who are backing the renewal
Of the custom argue that every honest
driver should consider an. official II
cense mark Of honor. while by this
sport at viii. They argue that the
system OF running tracks in licensing
every jockey and trainer has proved
Of immense benefit. and 1t will prove
equally SO to the harness turf.
Such licenses are required from all
drivers In European countries where
there are trotting races. In fact. the
American harness turf Is the orly
racing institution where anybody can
nit from the turf authorities.
To Pay Fees.
On the running tracks jockey must
pay fee Of s25 to secure a license
for year. but for the harness turf
a small recording fee will be sufficient
TO Identify a man as professional
driver. to whom the loss of his license
would surely prove an incentive for
honesty In all of his races. In the
mea time this pra ctice would at once
decide the question Of amateur and
professional drivers. question which
has been frequently discussed and
which has caused much dispute In the
past.
Previous to tho opening Of each con.
/, gress the question OF more strict rules
/: for the registration and Identification
OF horses racing over the nationals
tracks comes up. but. unfortur t, ly
nothing has SO far been accomplished
to-effectually fight this great evil OF
the harness turf.
The existing rules are considered
strong enough to make the appearance
OF ringers over trotting tracks as i'm.
possible as they are on running tracks
needed Is hearty and sincere CO.
operation between the two ruling es.
sociations and the Trotting Register
Association. which has charge OF the
registration OF horses.