Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-01-25
TURF INTERESTS
ARE ENDANGERED
SENTIMENT OF HOUSE CAUSES
MUCH ALARM
President Tom Williams of New Cali.
fornia Jockey Club Fears Effect
of OverWhe Ginning Vote
Against Sport
LBy Associated Press.l

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 24-That racing in
the state of California is doomed, and that
the present season at the famous Emeryville
and Santa Anita course will mark the pass
ing of 1.-The sport of kings is the opinion
not only of the majority of followers of the
turf, but of others in touch with the situa-
ton at Sacramento.
The passage of the WaIker-Otis anti-race
track bill by an overwhelming majority in
the lower branch of the legislature was a
great surprise to both friends and opponents
of the measure, and the result Of the vote
has spread CONSERVATION in the ranks of the
latter.
the assembly by the enemies of the bill, in
asmuch as no fight had been made in that
body, nothing like such a sweeping defeat
was looked for, and the morale of the gen
eraI assemblys action will have much to do
with stimulating the ultimate passage of the
law.
The scene of battle will shift this week to
the senate, where a last stand will be made
by the opponents of the proposed law to ward
off defeat, which at this time seems inev-
liable.
The bill which was passed by the house will
come up for action in the senate next
Wednesday morning. Its provisions are sim
liar to those of the Hughes anti-race track
BILL which has suppressed pool selling in the
state of New York, with the one exception
that the pool sellers in California will be al
lowed sixty days in which to wind up their
affairs.
AS this extension will date from the time
on which the governors signature is penned
to the document in the event. of its passage
by the senate, it is reasonable to presume
that the new law would not become operative
until well into the spring.
The effect of the closing of the race tracks in
California will be widely felt, and incalcula-
BILE Not only will the immense modern
courses at EmeryviIle, Ingleside, Tanforan and
Arcadia suffer, but the county fairs, at which
trotting meets are held annually in various
parts of the state during the summer months,
will be forced to abandon these events which
have been conducted with great profit since
time immemorial
The great breeding farms which have made
California famous the world over will receive
a blow, race followers assert, that will sound
the death knell to many of these institutions.
Thomas H. Williams, jr., president Of the
New California Jockey club, which controls
the racing plants at Ingleside Tanforan and
EmeryviIle, and who also is interested in the
Santa Anita track, of which E. ]. Lucl1y)
Baldwin is president and dominating factor,
is 1t is understood, marshaling his forces at
the capital and will organize the most bitter
the anti-race track bill that ever has been
waged for or against public measure in
this state
The president has been keeping in close
touch with the situation, and has personally
directed the fight for the interests which he
represents.
In the event of the closing of the racing
establishments in this state it is fairly GER
tain that racing will be shifted to Nevada or
ally understood, have been under way for
some time with a view to erecting and main
tanning courses on the Nevada side of Lake
Tahoe and near Tia Juana, just across the
boundary line in Lower California, about
twenty miles south of San Diego.