The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-17

is the "old and reliable" Montgomery
County Fair Association doing 10 en-
courage men 10 buy or breed such young
sters? Absolutely nothing as far as can
be learned. From latest accounts it is
travelling the same road that IL has
Travelled for the past three-quarters Of
a century, shutting its eyes 10 the fact
that the world has moved forward in
that period Of time. and that changed
conditions demand a change Of policy.
And at this point it is pertinent to
ask. FOR what purpose are agricultural
societies Instituted? Are they instituted
for the sole purpose of promoting the
growth of the pumpkin, the beet, the
steer and the hog; the draft horse. the
best utility horse and so along the entire
gamut OF a modern agricultural show?
Attractive as all these things may be
TO the agriculturist and the man from the
towns, what draws the crowds to agri-
cultural fairs? In fact what draws rs
per cent of the people who attend those
fairs Is the speed contests. Within the
life Of the Montgomery County Fair As
ISOLATION there has been developed in the
United States a breed Of horse known as
the American trotter. HIS evolution
from a mixed breed 10 his present proud
position in the equine world is one Of
the marvels of civilization on this con-
tinent.
Europe has recognized his supremacy
for the purpose for which he is bred. and
in fact there does not exist elsewhere a
type of horse that for general utility is
anywhere near his equal Within the
past twenty-five years. by careful selec-
ton in breeding. two-year-Olds and three
year olds have been bred that have shown
as much speed as aged horses have
shown for the same distance.
Some live agricultural societies have
recognized these facts and have reaped
the rewards due 10 their sagacity, wis
dom. and intelligence; but we regret to
state that such societies do not exist in
this immediate section of country. Why
should the breeders or owners of speedy
youngsters be compelled to race them
against aged horses, as the Montgomery
County Agricultural Society compels
them 10 do. or not race them at alll
Why not make classes for them and
thus encourage breeders and owners, and
at the same time increase the earning
capacity of these precocious youngsters
VIII some member Of the society present
a single reason why such a thing should
not be done? Is not every member OF
the society aware that these youngsters
possess a drawing capacity on a par with
the best fields they can possibly get to-
gether. whether it be free for all OF
any other scheme the members may de-
wise?
If they do not know It they are not
on 10 their jobs What the Montgomery
County Fair Association most needs is
TO break away from ancient traditions
and get up something new for the thou.
sands of people who annually give VI
their money for its support They are
weary of the same old cards and the
same old many-other-things that do not
add 10 the reputation of race tracks
whether they be located at Rockville OF
Podunk.
Washington is getting to be the ban
ner town for match races. Match races
are a good thing. if genuine, but are
bad and demoralizing to race tracks and
race track owners If they are not genu-
| Inc and the money put up at the proper
time and paid over to the man to whom
it belongs. without a string being tied to
It. "GentIemen's agreements" do not &c
on any well regulated race tracks, In
fact. the rule is that the sum agreed
upon must be in the hands Of the Judges
! before the race. This mode OF doing
business inspires confidence on the part
of the public and increases interest IN
the match.
There Is talk of another match race
between Glidewood and DR., Chase, and
| there is every reason to believe that
from a racing standpoint. such a match
If carried out 20 logical and honest
conclusion would draw a larger crowd
to a track In this community than any
other card that could be arranged, ex.
cept. perhaps, 1t would be a race be,
tween BALI and Manuella. There are
lots Of people, IN and out of the Dis
trict of Columbia, who believe that Glide.
wood. in the hands of an artist in tbs
sulky, can beat DR.. Chase The way L
prove that they are right Is to mattel
them and race it out
There is no better way to decide which
is the better horse, Manuella or Bali
than to follow the same rule-race It out
P. =. O'Keefe. owner Of BALI. was, q
few days since, agreeable to such q
match and is probably Of the same mint
now. z. F. Hall. owner OF Manuella, 4