The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-02
JACKSONVILLE IS
 PASSING FROM MAP OF RAGING WORLD
BY BERT E. CoLLYER

known that plans have been laid by the ant-racing element in this state to at tack the sport at Moncrief park, which will result, if successful, in the curtail- ment of the meeting. The life of the game now depends upon the interpretation of the law prohibiting bookmaking, which was passed a year ago last May. Accord
 ing to the turf officials, the law does not take effect until May 1 next. The anti-racing folk claim that the statute became effective today and intend talk ing action immediately. This will prob ably bring about clash In the courts, and in the meantime may cause trouble to the turtles now gathered here. The hotel men, very strong factor in this state, have, it is said, signified their in tention of joining forces with the re- formers.
 The bonifaces claim that racing and the general onus surrounding 1t have worked havoc on the touring trade, whici: it is said has been cut almost 75 per cent over last year. Officials of the rac- ing profession profess to be aware of their ground and state positively that racing will continue for the advertised 100 days.
 Putting aside all the ifs and ands, right or wrong. anent the situation, it is to be lamented that the outlook for the sport in this state is SO depressing. In the first place, it is doubtful whether any winter racing point in the country ever held such inviting conditions either from d transportation or climatic viewpoint. Easy of access to New York and Chi cago and the. gateway to all Florida points, especially St. Augustine, Palm Beach and Tampa, 1t does seem as if strenuous attempt should have been made to save the day. The utter lack of di- pIomacy, however, and the all too ap- parent rule or ruin policy. in which Curley Brown played the stellar role, were in this respect the chief contributing factors
 The passing of Jacksonville, In fact the entire state, from the racing map, will necessarily make Juarez, situated just across the Rio Grande river, the Mecca of future winter racing. Here, Col Matt Winn of Louisville has surrounded him self with associates of the highest pos- sible calibre. As evidence of this fact it might be cited that President Albert Terrazas of the Juarez Jockey club was recently elected governor of Chihuahua. Albert Follansbee is another moving spirit connected with the sport there. In fact. it is doubtful whether any racing asso- citation ever enjoyed a more representa- tive directorate.
 John w. Gates. he of 'betchyer mill lion' fame, who was among the arrivals here during the past week, speaks en- Enthusiastically of Juarez; in fact, MT. Gates was exceedingly optimistic on mat ters pertaining to the turf at large.
 "The sport" MT. Gates Is quoted, lis almost sure to come back In fact every thing points to a most prosperous season on metropolitan courses during 1911. Enc mics of racing. unconsciously or other wise. have done great deal for the uplifting of the game, in that the con -fiscatory fegisfatfof nas mad the erfecr of removing many undesirabes. This n- cludes racing. officials, horsemen, and followers whose room is much preferable to their company in any game
 Contrary to expectations, MT. Gates, who was accompanied by his son, Charles G. Gates, did not visit Moncrief park. In explaining this the Gates stated that their mission here was not racing, but the purchase of fruit trees for their famous Texas ranch.
 Jockeys riding at Moncrief park are now required to weigh three times First, they make weight with the clerk of the scales, then weigh again before the paddock judges who require owners or trainers of the several horses engaged to be present. The lads then weigh after the race is run. Investigation relative to the new departure elicited the informa- tion that the innovation was a direct outcome of the scandal talk emanating from the department one year ago. when 1t is said many riders "got by incor- rectly weighed. In this respect 1t was reported by Dr. Keough. the track vet erinarian, that in several instances horses carried from five to twenty-five pounds overweight. On the other hand, 1t was said the reverse English was put on when the right money was down. The action of the association in rectifying the matter at this late date has elicited more or less derision. One wag> puts it thus: .Tt's like a lady with a pimple on her face attempting to hide the disnguration with piece of black court plaster
 From an authoritative souce 1t is under stood that even now movement having as it's object the revival of racing In Hot Springs. Ark. is well under way, fathered by some of the most influential business and professional men in that city. So quietly and industriously have the men
 
 that there now remains hardly sem blance of opposition and it Is confidently expected that an amendment to the pres ent drastic anti-gambling law will surely he passed at the forthcoming session of the Arkansas legislature, which meets early next year.
 Such indeed will prove joyous tidings to all in any way interested in the sport of kings and once more exempiines the truth of that old adage that the darkest cloud always has silver lining.
 That the story in question is not with out foundation Is proven by recent ih- terview with MT. John Hackmeister, dip lomatic and financial head of the Celia Ad,er-T,iles confederacy. This gentleman
 who is, by the way, power In western racinp circles, while not going so far as to make definite announcement of So- dav meeting early this spring at Oak 10 wn mark, Hot Springs, intimated very no,ntedlv that there was every reason to beiieve such would be the case. Hack meister. unquestionably one of the shrewdest race track managers Tn the country. and a diplomat of the highest school will have full charge of the af- fairs appertaining to the management of the forthcoming meeting and that he vii, be able to smooth the way to a re- sumption of racing in the valley or Va nors'' is confidently expected. If ia expected that the Hot Springs meeting will open the latter part of Feb rrarv and run in direct opposition 10 Ia ck ksonville. The result will be that 90 ner cent of the horsemen, disgusted with the Siberian tactics of "Curley'' Brown, will migrate to Arkansas and leave Mon crief park to pass through the last couple of months of it's awful existence In the