Evening star., 1908-06-13
MARYLAND AND THE RACES
GOV. CROTHERS WATCHING
SITUATION IN HIS STATE.
Comment Over Probable Influx Of
Racehorse People-Business Men
Are Interested.

BALTIMORE. June 13.-From develop
ments yesterday it is probable that Gov.
Crothers will cause to be introduced at
the next session Of the Maryland legisla-
ture an anti-betting bill similar to the one
which Gov. Hughes pushed through the
New York legislature. winning by one
vote. that of Senator Foelker. who left
his sick bedr'to vote for the measure.
Being told OF the general preparations
which 1t is believed are being made to
have some Of the New York racing done
in Maryland. Gov. Crothers said:
Il am watching the situation with a
great deal of concern. I am opposed to
anticipating any difficulty or supposing
things are going to happen. but l do not
propose to have Maryland made a dump
Ing ground Of racehorse people of that
kind that the New York law will drive
out, and If there is any kind Of an influx
OF those people here strenuous steps will
be made to stop 1t"
While Gov. Crothers would not talk Of
the details of an anti-betting bill he would
not deny that he would have one intro
duced In the legislature.
Baltimore County's Attitude.
The Baltimore county people were espe-
cially wroth over the situation. Many Of
them were decided in the opinion that they
did not want the New York people here,
and hoped that they would not come, as it
would mean the demolition Of ancient and
honorable horse racing in Baltimore coun-
ty with especial permission to bet.
Where the New York folk could come
in Maryland is a question. Mr.. William
Riggs secretary of the Maryland Jockey
Club, was in New York all of yesterday
and part Of the day before looking after
the situation and discussing the probabili-
ties of a large fan meet here with the
members Of the New York JocHsy Club
Only about forty days remain in which
racing with betting can be held in Balti-
more county. the others of the seventy
five days allowed by law having been
used up this spring. Because of the atti
tude Of the Baltimore county people 1t is
not probable there will be any great
meeting unless Mr.. Riggs makes satisfac-
tory arrangements
Business Men Interested.
The interest which Maryland business
men are taking in the situation is in
tense. This is explained by the fact that
in cities near racetracks bonding COM
panies report more loss by clerks stealing
money than in any other cities In the
United States.
This Is what crystaIlzed the feeling
against betting in New York and adds
force to the movement which will proba-
bly, start here. A well-known owner of
horses and bettor who has won soma
renown through plunges said yesterday:
Il don't want to go back on my own
kind and begin to, say give US an anti
racing law but when you see some of
the sights around the betting ring you
feel like quitting the business for good.
you can't make weak men strong;
that Is dead sure thing: aid Just as
long as there are betting rings weak fel-
lows are going to steal money from their
employers so they can bet on the races.
Mind you. they do not steal it from the
start-they lose their own first and then
to get 1t back they use the firms cash.
It's losing job and they 90 to the
penitentiary.
Il know bonding company that will
not bond man-no matter how high up
ne is-that bets on the races, and they're
dead right at that"
Other business men expressed similar
sentiments regarding the fear which they
have during race meet that some OF
their young clerks will go wrong with
the nrm's cash in betting on the horses.