The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
BY l.. ID. SALE.

The proposition that Washington shall
have in the near future a new half-mile
track and club house easy of access 10
the horsemen OF the District exclusively
launched through the columns of The
Washington Herald a few weeks since,
has proved TO be so popular that 1t is
safe to say that before the racing season
of 1912 begins the scheme will have be-
come an accomplished fact.
During the past week the writer OF
this column has talked with some Of
the most prominent hOrsemen of the Dis
triCt on the subject, and to a man they
announce themselves in favor of the
project. What the project lacks most at
present is systematic effort on tine part
OF those who have the matter closest at
heart. The time for talk about a new
trotting track is past What is now
needed is action on the part of those
most interested. Let them get together
at once and find a proper location for a
track within easy reach of Washington,
find on what terms ii can be leased or
purchased, and then proceed to get esti-
mates of cost for track construction,
stabling, grand stapd, and clubhouse.
With this information gained, interested
parties will have something tangible in
hand; will have something to show to
men who stand ready to put up their
money provided they are shown. 1t is
hardly necessary to say at this juncture
that If the project is to succeed, the
right kind of men must engage in the
undertaking. If 1t is to be anything at
all, the organization must be one compos-
ed of responsible and respectable men,
and pitched in the matter of conduct in
high key. Any other course will be
disastrous to the cause. There is not
only room in Washington for a high class
track association, but crying need for
one. Here we are, city of upward of
400 900 souls, with not track where horse
men can Congregate and indulge in a
little pleasure, within eight miles of
the District line. It is a reproach to
the horsemen of the District of Colum-
bia that such a condition of things has
been permitted to exist here as long as
II has.
Something must be done, and speedily,
to revive the horse interests Of the Dis
trict and the section Of country that
lies contiguous thereto. Time was when
the National Capital was an important
ht-harness center. Some of the best
horses in the United States have perform
ed here in the past, but so long ago
that a new generation has come upon the
stage of action. A new track, managed
as it must be to succeed and become
q paying proposition, will stimulate the
purchase of horses for track purposes.
Men who do not now own speed will buy
it.
Men who are thinking of disposing of
their horses because there is no spot close
at hand where they may test their speed
or exercise them will change their minds
ington will be a market for good harness
with the horse will prosper. Let the gem
tlemen who have the new half-mile track
idea in their minds proceed with their
work. They have the horse interests OF
the District at their back, and II they
build wisely, as we presume they win.
being careful as TO rules and member
ship, they will awake some morning to
find themselves famous
With a new half-mile track. we shall
probably have more horses in our midst
like w. (. Afiller's Alice NJ, 2:IT Ia. TAX
ing into consideration her money-winning
capacity. the most remarkable mare ever
owned here. 1t win surprise the readers
OF this column to know that this mare
her first season out--191l-won in the gross
aggregate In purses $500 This breaks
all records for locally owned horses for
a single season of racing. Alice NJ was
driven by her owner. W. E. Miller a
IN Ell her races last
season, and raced in Virgins, Maryland.