The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-04
SAYS GRAY-PERCY BILL
HAS KILLED P0OLROOMS
Cites Letters from Ministers of the
Gospel and from Public Men,
Stating That Conditions Are
Improved Under Proposed
Measure-Admits Gam
bling Will Continue.
rHE following letter has been re-
ceived by The Times-Dispatch
from Mr.. Arthur 3. Hancock. Of

from Mr.. Arthur B. Hancock, Of
Albernarle county. breeder OF
thoroughbreds and an officer of the
Virginia Breeders Association. The
made by Mr.. Cranday Mackey regard
Ing the racing bill introduced in the
Legislature:
Charlottesville. Va,
March 2, 1908. /,
Editor of The Dispatch:
Sir,-The Commonwealth's attorney,
of Alexandria county, Crandal Mackey.
Esq, published an article In to-day's
Times Dispatch, which contains many
inaccuracies and statements not round
ed on facts. I have not seen bill NO.
421, but will take his statement that
1t is a close copy of the Gray-Percy
Law of New York State and show
that racing as conducted under that
law Is not a menace, but great ad-
vantage to any State or community.
In the first place, Mr.. Mackey says
that this bill was gotten through tho
Legislature OF New York by the race
track gamblers themselves"
This bill is Endorsed by the Jockey
Club of New York. which Includes
amongst its members such men as
Messrs. Pierpont Morgan. William K.
Vanderbilt, August Belmont, Senator &.
Peabody Wetmore, C. oliver Iselin
James r. Keen. John Sanford. Richard
II. Wilson, Jr., Harry Payne Whitney
III. T. Oxnard ]. II. Bradford, ETC., mon
whose names stand at the top In social
banking and manufacturing circles
Also bill 421 instead of being bill
originated by gamblers came from the
Virginia Breeders Association. whose
aim Is the Improvement of horses In
the State Of Virginia. Its membership
includes Hon. Henry Fairfax. presi-
dent; H. Rozier Dulaney .vice-presi-
dent; William Corcoran Eustis, treas
urer; Messrs. II. T. Oxnard, Henry Har-
rtson. James H. McGavock, William T.
Townes, r. J. Hancock, Dr.. James
Kerr. etc. instead OF Mr.. Mackey's
race-track gamblers. So much for the
origin of the two bills.
The Gray Percy bill was passed in
the New York Legislature, having been
reported by the Judiciary Committees.
Senator Lexow, then fresh from his
police investigation. was at the head
| OF the Senate judiciary: Hamilton
Fish, now sub-Treasurer OF the United
States, was Speaker; Charles T. Sax
ton. of ballot reform fame. was the
president OF the Senate. and Levi p.
Morton was Governor. These facts are
recited and remembered merely as
showing the parties behind the bills.
and through whose aid they were made
effective.
Killed Pool-Rooms.
What has been the result of racing
under this law, as conducted by the
| Jockey Club, acting under the State
| Racing Commission? Before it's pas
| sage New York City was Infested with
pool-rooms, where any one could step
In and make bet on races being run
Tot.. pVS
State OF the Union, and here was the
source of the greatest evil OF gam
bling.
Employees who could not hold their
| positions and get off to go to the
races to bet could, on any pretense.
step around the corner, make a bet
and be at work in half an hour. The
Rev. Mr.. Sicer, who has done much
to abolish pool-rooms In New York and
. to regulate the gambling evil. recently
| stated that during the seven months
/