Omaha daily bee., 1910-12-18
FOR THE SPEEDWAYS
Gotham May Learn from Squads at
Other Meets.
ORGANIZED SPEEDWAY GUARDS
Fifty Men Are in Rsadiness at All
Times to Don Uniforms and Pro-
tect the PubIIc nt Big Rae
ina IsYents.

NEW YORK, Dec. 17.--Automobile racing
assemblages of this vicinity have some
idea as to the policing Of courses. Last
summer they watched gray-coated specia
policemen keep the crowds from pressing
out on the Brighton Hnotordromes curVins
raoeway some months later, In autumn,
they watched more special policemen make
half hearted efforts 70 hold the thousands
of Vanderbilt cup day spectators In check.
In contrast to the disorder of the latter
event was the faultless guarding OF the
grand prize circuit at Savannah. More
over, the measures taken to protect spec
tators and contestants at the big motor
dromes Of Indianapolis, Atlanta ana Los
Angeles are also good examples.
But the policing is systematized at these
places Take, for instance, the Indian
apolis motordrome.
A well-organized company Of speedway
guards" commanded by Captain William
Carpenter, Is always ready for duty
with a few hours notice. Equipment con-
sisting of regulation kahki uniforms, hats.
belts, leggings, guns, etc, was purchased
by the speedway last May, Captain VIII
liam p. Carpenter who for the last three
years, has commanded Company A, Second
infantry, has had ten years training as a
member OF the State National guard. Ons
hundred men of either militia or regular
army training are members OF the speed
way guards. While on duty during racing
meets the men are furnished with sleeping
accommodations and meals on the ground,
strict military discipline being maintained
AZ all times.
Special Police.
IN addition to the guards, a force of
special police, fifty in number, under the
direction OF Captain Frank Wilson, quail
fled by many years experience on the
local police force, are available for special
understanding entrance gates, parked
automobiles, directing the entering and
leaving OF automobiles, as we'll as being
stationed as loOkouts On top Of the high
board fence which enoloses the grounds
No complaints of pocket picking have
reached the officers, and in view Of the
splendid crowds attending the various meets
this speaks volumes for the efficiency Of
the special police service.
The highways adjacent 70 the speedway
are patrolled by mounted guards. prevent
ing traffic from congosting and reducing
the danger from road accidents to a mini
mum For patroliing the brick course or
guarding a given point requiring constant
attention men with military training and
under military discipline have been found
invaluable to the speedway management
The entire distance OF the two and a half
mile track Is guarded by these soldiers.
enforcing one OF the strictest rules of the
speedway, organization, that no one shall
be permitted TO cross the track while
race is being contested. At close intervals
around the track telephone instruments are
stationed and attended by a soldier. under
orders not to leave his post until relieved
by another guard, It being the duty of
these men TO report promptly accidents or
Irregularities that occur on the course.
Because OF the absence OF accidents dur
ing the racing events Of 1910 and the many
favorable comments upon the safeguards
provided. thus making long-dstance racing
very much less dangerous the international
sweepstakes race, for a distance OF 800
miles, was considered. This important
event Is being arranged for May q, 1911
and cash prizes amounting TO $4,000 will
be awarded, May hundreds win be added
by manufacturers OF accessories until the
total may be $4,000.