The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-02-05
SENATE SEALS FATE OF POOL
SELLING AND BETTING IN
CALIFORNIA.
WALKER MEASURE PASSES
Bill Prohibiting Gambling in Any
Form on Horse Races Within State
is Approved by Both Houses Of Leg
'siature and Only Needs Signature
Of Governor to Become a Law

Sacramento, Feb. 4.-Racing IN the
1;ate of California received a vital
blow when the senate today by vote
of 33 to passed the Walker Otis
anti-race track gambling bill, which
prohibits pool selling, bookmaking or
gambling on horse races. The bin
having already passed the assembly.
It viii now go to the governor for mis-
signature, after which it will become
a law. Governor Giuett has signified
his intention to sign the measure IL
passed by both houses, bur il IS be-
heVed that he will not take this action
Lntii 30 days have elapsed. AS the
bill permits pool dealers and book
makers 60 days time iii which to
close up their affairs, the present sea-
son Of racing at the Emeryville and
Santa Anita courses will not be dis
turbed.
The walker Otis anti gambling bill
Is referred to as the Hughes law of
California" in this section, inasmuch
as it follows closely the text of the
Hughes bin which was passed by the
last Legislature in the state of New
York. Violation of the measur.. is
made felony, the punishment for
which is Imprisonment in the state
penltentiary and heavy fine.
Galleries Packed.
The senate galleries were packed
this afternoon when Senator Walker,
sponsor for the bill. presented the
measure for consideration. He ex-
planned that II would not prevent horse
racing and would not injure the busi-
ness of the state one iota. 1t was
agreed by the proponents of the bill
that there should be no debate on the
part of those favorable to it's passage.
Senator Wolfe, as was expected, made
the principal speech in last effort to
turn the tide in favor of the race track
owners and supporters.
Il am against this bill because it
is unfair" he shouted. You don't
stop the handbooks by this measure,
and If you pass it and it becomes a
law, you will stop racing in Califor-
MIA But they will continue to race in
Canada, Mexico and every other state
where gambling on speed contests is
permitted.
A Great Sight.
TN venture to say that many Of
the senators who will vote against this
bin today go to the races every chance
they get. At the running of the Burns
handicap at Emeryville over $4,000
people witnessed the contest They
did not all bet. They loved to be there
it made their blood run freer-to
see that noble contest"
Wolfe closed with an eloquent plea
to his fellow senator's to vote against
the bilrs passage on the ground that
1t would kill the breeding industry of
the state and result in a loss of mil
lions Of dollars annually
After several speeches had been
made in a similar vein, the bill was
presented for action. II was passed by
a vote of 33 to 7. Those who declared
against the passage of the bin were
Hartman. Weed, Wolfe,
Finn, Hare, Leavitt and Reilly.
AS to when he would sign the BIN
Governor GilIett was non -committai
tonight. Under the law he must sign
or veto it within 10 days after it Is
sent to him. He said that he might
lffiX his signature after considering
the measure for five minutes or he
might take longer. He mas not made
lp his mind. If the governor wishes
ne. may permit the present seasons az
Emeryville and Arcadia to run their
'egular courses