New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-07
ORAL BETTING HEARING
Racing Men Ask for No More
Legislation This Year.
SEE THE END OF BREEDING
Canon Chase and Other Repre-
sentatives of Reform
Bodies for Bills.
-. Te.errarh 20 Tho tribune.

~. Te.e.,r9rh % The Tribune.
Albany Anril Representatives OF me
racing interests made a strong plea before
the Senate Codes Committee to-day to take
no further action on racing legislation this
year They declared that the Agnew-Per-
kins bills drawn 10 prevent oral bookmaK-
ing" on which a hearing was being given
would nut an end to horse breeding and
would place every man who made bet.
even though he were a n-professional at
the mercy of the public prosecutor.
Senate based on an unconstitutional
apportionment. said Joseph :. Auerbach'
representing the Jockey Club. passed the
Agnew-Hart bills. These. he intimated,
We're put through by Senator Wallace. who
was elected at a special election TO succeed
the late Senator Franchot He declared
that the present Senators were only de
facto members Of the Legislature, and that
these points have been raised in the Su-
preme Court I'm an action to test the va
lidity Of the anti-gambling bills. Mr.. Auer-
bach said that Assistant District Attorney
Elder and other prosecuting officers Of New
York City. who acted in racetrack raids.
had indicted scores Of men in defiance OF
court rulings.
II seemed to be the desire or the Codes
Committee. from questions asked by its
members. to fix the anti-betting laws SO
they would only affect the professional
bookmaker
George ". Miller. the father of Andrew
Miller. declared that the Agnew-Perkins
bills would drive out OF the racing business
every sef-respecting member OF the racing
associations He said that they would ex
pose all persons who bet to unwarranted
arrests.
And they don't want 10 he disgraced,"
he said. by running the danger Of being
hauled up and Indicted on the prosecutors
Interpretation of doubtful wording In the
law. Make the law clear If YOU want to.
and say Just what you mean"
"If We should take out Of the bill the
words any person who lays or publishes
odds. orally or otherwise would the racing
associations be satisfied asked Senator J.
T. Newcomb
Il think they would" Mr. Miller replied.
"You can see that under those words
might be subject 10 arrest if I said to Mr..
Hitchcock. I bet YOU ; to 1 that my horse
beats your horse
Mr. Auerbach emphasized the point that
tho constitution did not require the passage
Of the proposed bills. He quoted from the
.
the PeTcy-Grav act met the constitutional
requirements as 10 appropriate legisla-
ton 20 carry out the mandate Of tho con
stitution in prohibiting gambling.
Canon Chase. who with other representa-
t;yes Of reform associations appeared for
the bill. said they merely covered loophole
in the present law. the working Of which
makes violations easy.
No Grr1'f frfre IN, cn- ,rir-
ting" Canon Chase said
"Vil YOU say why Won approve private
bets" Nj. Auerbsch asked.
Mr.. Iaidiaw and I think II would he
wrong for Us 70 bet. but we realize that
there would not be sufficient public opin-
ION back OF Law prohibiting private
bet, although We do not synlpathize with
81 vas the reply. u believe betting to
ne wrong II fosters the worst anti-sociaI
spirit there X to-day. II demoralizes bust
ness and creates crime"
The Rev. Walter Laidlav defended the
course ~ Assistant District Attorney Elder
and gave instances Of evasion Of Tho anti
gambling bills on various racetracks.
Senator Bracket. who represents Sara
! togs. where ono of the rscetracks IL sit
Uated. asked Mr.. T.sidlav il there was any
way Of saving 4 community which has
grown I'D IN dependence on racetrs"N
and At the same time kill the abuses com
planned Of by the advocates Of the racing
bills
IF racetracks cannot I've without gam
. bling. the only way out II the difficulty is
FOR the state 10 contribute 10 their support
a. n does FOR the agricultural societies, q"
said Mr.. T.aidlaV.
/ Among those interested i'm racing AZ the
1 hearing were James Butler. Andrew Miller.
4 =. X. Hitchcock, Henry CUnard and ". 4.
! Gage.
! No action was taken on the bills at the
/ executive session of the committee follow
ing the hearing. Whether there will he an
4 other hearing viii be decided tomorrow.