The sun., 1908-12-16
CURRENT SPORTING GOSSIP
JOCKEY CLUE 10 TALK OVER
NExTiYEAR'S DATES.

NEXT YEARS DATES
All the Local Tracks, Barring Brighton.
said 70 ne willing % Conduct Meet
ings On Q Moderate ecale-New Bet
ting System Outlined by Lawyers.
It is understood that the stewards OF the
Jockey Club will hold q meeting to-dsy
for the purpose of discussing racing dates
for next season. While II is not believed
that an arrangement Of dates will be made
public Just now 1t is thought that the stew-
ards viii have in their possession express
sions Of opinion from the owners OF the
different tracks as to what they are willing
to do in the way Of keeping the turf alive
In 1909. Some time ago member OF the
Jockey Club said unofficially that, barring
Brighton Beach, all Of the metropolitan
tracks would conduct meetings next year,
but that until the Interpretation OF the new
anti-betting law had been defined by the
courts the racing associations could not
lay plans as to the value OF stakes and
purses.
P. j. Dwyer, who owns the Aaueduct
and Gravesend tracks, placed himself on
record before last season ended TO the
effect that he would race at both OF his
plants regardless OF whatever financial
Losses might accrue. and since then he has
repeated the statement. 1t Is also ac-
cepted as fact that the Coney Island
Jockey Club will open the Sheepshead Bay
track as usual, while Jamaica and Belmont
Park will also be In line. It Is believed. But
from present indications Saratoga Is doubt
full. although there may be ten days
session there which will not conflict with
Empire City II that track decides to open
its gates. 1t Is a fact that all OF the racing
associations expect to lose money, even
II they race only three or four days each
week. But they will probably abolish
the free list and will hang UP $500 and $500
purses, with moderate stakes as side
issue.
The track owners say that 1t will be sew
eral years before the large crowds OF 1907
that II the courts define just what is possible
In the way of individual speculation under
the law, followers Of the sport will not be
a word the tracks intend to begin at the
bottom and build UP the sport by degrees.
A number of new rules regarding specula-
that way betting will be conducted under
more rigorous regime than ever before.
Several lawyers who have been making
q Close study Of the betting situation, as
regards the metropolitan tracks say that
as the law does not prevent anybody from
u,
It is not illegal for such a speculator to
record his own wager, "A supposed book
maker or man who makes business
under the law. said one Of these lawyers
yesterday, but there is nothing 70 prevent
man who makes a bet with him from
action. In that way it may develop that
bettors when they place wagers will hand.
with their money. q card upon which II: Is
and card can be pinned together and placed
in the alleged bookmaker's pocket until
after s the race: when u can T. be h Tehtained or or
Charles Mahoney. which resulted in. an
last fall, covered thfs particular, point. Ma
companied with a slip Of paper upon which
the nature of the bet was recorded. Ma
honey was arrested. charged NTH being pssd
On the strength OF that verdict we believe
that betting can be carried on at the race
tracks on this basis without interruption.
Frank j. Bryan who will act as general
manager Of the Savannah race meeting.
which, opens on Christmas Day. ANNOUNCES
local tracks as a clerk OF the scales. viii I'LL
that office. and that Elmer Wilson Que OF
Mars Cassidy's assistants will handle the
barrier, Bryan says the programme viii
be made up Of fiat races and steeplechases
and that many prominent turfnlen nave
promised to take part In the sport.
Statistics for the first thirty--one days
Of racing at Oakland show that Z. M
ason Is seeoed sSe wsh BY
J. Jones With $500. r, <. Forsythe with
A.S7S. Il. q. Bedweli with s3.oaS. ii: Viii
J. Davis p with i O. 80 G b. Schreiber With S..
s60 ana so on. Y. Powers leads the jockeys
With 10 winning mounts. followed ey A 4.
with j.. schillins with is. Mccarthy WITH IL
and kirschbaum with9.
The decision OF the National Baseball
Commission regarding the ticket scandal
arising from the world Championship
games played in Chicago last fall will be
there mas been some pretty sharp politics
played in this connection. Ban johnson
and Harry Pulliam were ready to have the
Verdict made pu6s during RI tse recent h oGn nr
some reason Garry Hermann, chairman OF
the commission. was opposed to the plan.
since then Johnson and rulliam have been
matter. with the result that Hermann has
Just notified them that he will come to time.
Johnson and pulliam have leit Chicago Gag Tor
both had something to say johnson de-
clared that the points ia the verdict were
agreed upon some time ago. while ruliiam
stated that it was up to Hermann. lt is
hinted that the decision will cause sensa-
ton, although President Murphy OF the
Chicago Cubs has insisted all along that his
In Boston il is maintained that the Red
Sox got the better OF the Spencer-CriRer
deal. while in ST. Louis Manager McAleer
Ia receiving unstinted praise for exercising
such splendid Judgment; incidentally Il
may be said that st, Louis fans. because OF
the acquisition Of Criger. are already laying
claims to the American League pennant
for the Browns.
The Philadelphia American League club
will open the finest ball park in the country
next year. 1t occupies an entire city block
and the stands and walls are built entirely
OF concrete. The grand stand, a double
decker. has seats for 10 900 spectators. while
the two open stands will have accommoda-
tions for $4,000 more. The players dressing
rooms are located under the grand stand.
and are connected by tunnels with. the
benches. The playing field is large, level
and we'll drained, The plant will be called
Shibe Park and the cost was nearly 100000
Roger Bresnahan saws: In parting with
John McGraw | wish to say that he Ia one
OF the greatest MANAGERS in the business.
wish him and the New York club success.
and ] really think that the New Works
should be moro Of a pennant factor than
ever next year for Mctiraw has great
team new.