The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-02-12
HORSENEN PLAN
TO FIGHT BACK.
Movement on Foot in East for
Owners and Racers to
Curb Legislation.
SAY SPORT is SHOWN
UNDER FALSE LIGHT
But Opponents of Betting Are
Watchful and Resourceful
and. Need Sleep
snecisl Cable TO The Tribune.

Special Cable 10 The Tribune
NEW YORK. Fch. 1.-The subject
of the future of the racehouse and of
antiracctraek gambling legislation is
one that is paramount in the world Of
sports here: and there arc many diff
ferent opinions ms 10 Just what is GO
ing to happen, ami wha; can be done,
James Dockerall, one of the NEST
prominent sporting writers Of this city.
so far as concerns tho racehouse aud
the track. has this 20 say:
"As | PREDICTED some weeks ago, the
prospect &C resumption Of betting on
the racetracks is becoming more re
mote. The opponents arc determined.
persistent and -esourceful. They need
sleep.
On the other hand, the sporting writ
or who assumes the nom de plume
'Monhnttan seems to think thai
something NAV vet he evolved from
ihe present situation. particularly IN
view of tho present agitation for thf
borsamen themselves 80 get busy along
tbe right lines, and see ii something
cannot be done to plase the subject in
its true light before the public. 1t is
claimed that the opponents of the race
track are very often demagogucs, and
that their misrepresentation have ere
ated an impression in the minds of the
general public that is false.
Harry W. Smith has a scheme tc
bring tho breeders and raiscrs of horses
and sportsmen generally together on
February 15. where, after n feast. il is
proposed to organize them into lcagut
ef sporfsmen, the mission of which will
he to oppose legislation against rae
ing and public sports.
Plans Big Spcrtsmen' Dinner
4 sportsmen S dinner at the Wal
dorf Astoria February is is expected to
surrpss ANYTHING of the kind ever held
in this city The idea suggested itself
because many sportsmen will he In town
on account of the following: The West
minister Kennel club dog show. Febru
ary l3 to 1S; annual meeting of the
hunts committee. February Is; annual
meeting of the Masters of FoXhounds,
February 16; meeting Of the National
Beagle club, February IA. and the
Westminster Kennel club show Of fox
hound and beagle packs February l6.
Members of the following turf and field
clubs have beer invited TO attend. The
Jockey club National Steepechasc
and Hunts association, HINTS commit
tee. Master of Foxhounds association,
Westminster Kennel club. National
Horse Show association, the Polo as.
socation and the Gentlemen Riders .of
America.
Hurley Urges League.
M. H Hurley who formerly owned a
string of horses which he has sold. urges
the formation OF league In This state
to offset racing legislation. Speaking
on the subject few days ago. he said:
''The race tracks are under the gun
al all times. Whenever anybody desires
TO attract attention there is nothing
easier than TO malign racing.
Little has been heard IN defense or
explanation. The policy OF horse owners
seems to be that OF silence, and 4 Is
reckless assertions are true. as they are
permitted to go unchallenged.
Much Capital at Stake.
There is s6,ooO0oo invested in race
tracks In this state, to say nothing OF
the millions represented in horse breed
ing. II Is not necessary here 10 set forth
that racing does not imply gambling. but
Misrepresentation has been so violent and
endured so long that. to any one but men
acquainted with the situation. much argu-
nent will be necessary to establish this
fact
Legislators seeking to gain popularity
and others equally selfish. have pushed
through the legislature measures which,
il sustained by the courts. Will affect
racing property and reduce the value OF
horseflesh
THESE are reasons why the sportsmeu
should associate themselves together and
begin campaign of education 10 offset
the campaign or Misrepresentation, which
is still at It's height"
Agitation on Both Coasts.
On the other hand. DockeraIl brings 10
support his contention recent happenings
on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts
Secretary Percy w Treat Of the New
California Jockey club has announced
that the Oakland meeting in view ot
the adverse legislation, would close Feb
ruary Is. Most OF the horses will be
shipped to Juarez. Mexico. Some viii
start eastward 10 he on hand for the
opening Of the metropolitan season. a
few owners have arranged TO sell theii
horses
Governor Johnson lost no time In ap.
proving tho Walker Young anti-bettinl
bill, when IL was passed by the Assem-,
bly, at Sacramento. He affixed hfs sigma
ture one minute after the bill was pre-
sented 10 him; and II will become effect
i've February l5.
A few days ago bill was presented
In the New York stale senate. II pro
poses TO amend the penal law in relation
to the advertising or publication o
wagers. bets or stakes. II makes tn,
publication of advertising OF bets by set
ting forth the odds laid or offered ant
the names OF persons making same.
misdemeanor. This Is aimed at horse
race betting, as well as other forms o
betting.