The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-17
By l.. ID. SALE

BY L. ~. SALE
Washington hprsemen have got tribe
over three weeks 10 get their horses
ready for the grand matinee to be held
May II.
Their duties will not end there. Long
before May 1.-THE present week, II pos
sible-a disk harrow must be contracted
for and put 10 work on the roadbed Of
the Speedway. Mr.. Mott is doing the
best he can with the light harrows now
In use, but as far as producing proper
results are concerned he might as we'll
scratch the surface of tho track with
fne-tooth comb. The muck excavated
two seasons ago from tho bed Of the
lake and poured over the Potomac
marshes Is now baked so hard under the
influence OF the sun and wind that it IS
almost as hard as granite.
A machine must be put upon It that has
power enough 10 loosen it up. Then the
earth thrown up must be pulverized and
a soft cushion created over which horses
may 90 at speed without danger 70 feet
and legs.
Every man who resides IN the District
of Columbia and who owns a good horse
should be interested in the proposed i'm
provemeut. The cost viii be nominal
when compared with the injury liable TO
be done 10 his horse II he drives It over
the course at speed. At this point a CO.
nundrum might properly be propounded:
When Is a horse not a horse? Answer
When he no longer has feet or legs 70
travel on. What wheels are 20 a wagon
feet and legs are to horse. No feet. no
legs. no horse.
While contracting for a disk harrow II
might be well for the committee in charge
10 ascertain the price Of a high-grade
Bogardus kicker 20 be used upon those
members Of the Drivers and Riders As
ISOLATION who are not yet aroused 70 a
sense OF their responsibilities. II prop
erly applied, it might prove a fine invest
ment and quickly pay for its cost An
operator who understood his business
ought 20 produce splendid results.
II some OF the moving picture firms
OF Washington would show enterprise
enough 10 secure a few hlms OF how
some local horsemon stand idly by and
permit their associates do all the work in
relation 20 the Speedway, and how they
permit them TO dig deep down in their
private bank accounts 20 keep It alive,
they might attract still larger crowds.
The scheme IS worth a trial, at least.
'Horsemen OF Washington and the Dis
trlct OF Columbia, the present condition
of things cannot endure much longer.
You have got TO get together and pull to-
gether, every mothers son. and soon, or
your last end viii be worse than your
first.
Matters cannot 80 on as they are going
now. One more farce like that OF Wednes-
day last win put YOU so far into the in
bad list with the public that YOU will
never be able to attract It to the Speed
way again II the Speedway needs re-
pairs. put it into proper condition but do
not invite the sport-loving public to your
course TO witness your performances and
hand It nothing but citrus fruit
At the next meeting OF the association
there should be a lot Of things doing
There should be a lot OF questions asked
by members and answers demanded
President De Graw should be there in
person; his magnetic presence and wise
counsel are needed. Every man I'm Wash
ingtOn interested in the light-harness
horse should bend every effort to be
present. The meeting VIII be of great
Importance because the future OF the
Speedway is at stake. The report of the
committee on sUbscrip;i5n will be list
ened TO with more than passing interest.
II It has been as active as we have a
right 10 believe it has been since the last
meeting. there should be sufficient money
IN the treasury to carry out all needed
improvements. It is not too early to dis
cuss the question Of appointing a com
mittee 70 entertain invited guests from
abroad II the event OF May II is to be Of
any Importance whatever. Money viii be
needed for the entertainment or guests
and must be raised. To maintain a
speedway is no joke. When one dances.
one must produce the wherewithaI for the
man behind the bow.
According TO report. the proposed match
race between b. J. O'Keefes Potwith
Boy and T. W. Dunworth's Gentle John
VIII not be pulled off. The story goes
that AR. Dunworth has for some time