The Washington times., 1911-03-23
Belmont Says They Have
Dealt Breeding Industry
Staggering Blow.
LEGISLATION
COULD RESTORE 1T
Will Ship Horses Away From New
York for the Present At Least,
Says Turfman.

NEW YORK, March 23.-Ausust Bel
mont, chairman of the Jockey Club, head
of the Westchester Racing Association
which conducts the Belmont Park
course, and one Of the biggest breeders
In America, has come out with a state
ment that racing has been killed, tenn
porarily at least, In this State by hy-
pocrisy.
And in attacking racing the moralists
who succeeded in pushing through Gov
ernor Hughes bills of 1908 and 1910 have
dealt the thoroughbred breeding in
dustry staggering blow.
Throughout the crusade against ra-
cling, which begas four years ago, Nj.
Belmont pointed out the persons attack
ing IT have refused to recognize the
great good 1t was accomplishing for the
improvement of the breed Of horses.
Disclaim Hostility.
ITO gain tine confidence and support
necessary to carrying through their
plans the reformers hypocritally dis
claimed hostility to racing or intent to
do 1t harm.
The reformers have crippled the
breeders of this and other States to
such an extent that none of them can
hope for more than accidental success
for years to come.
Millions of dollars are invested in the
breeding of thoroughbreds in various
parts Of the country and the harm done
by this attack upon racing is well-nish
irreparable.
Setback to Horse.
Every good American should Ike his
country to have the best OF everything
and especially that which is produced
in competition. And under racing as
il Was conducted in this country and in
Canada for upward Of thirty years the
American horse was gradually working
his way to a position of equality with
the English thorough bred, if not indeed
to one of pTe-eminenCe.
Our army officers testify to the wide
spread injury 10 the efficiency Of the
army the destruction of racing is work
ing. I'm sure General Grant will sub
scribe to this opinion if vou ask him.
Mr.. Belmont and his associates at the
grand council board of the Jockey Club
have not abandoned hope for the ulu-
mate reha bilitation of racing, but they
are firmly of the opinion that the sifua-
ton can be relieved only by rational
legislation.
Legislation Restorative
while it is not impossible that we
may have racing in New York State
again, MT. Belmont continued, 'Tne
sport can be restored only by ra-
tional legislation. In trying to destroy
what they call bookmaking the REFORM
ers have succeeded in getting upon the
statute books a series of oppressive
laws which make IT impossible for the
friends Of racing and the supporters of
the breeding industry to keep open the
gates OF the racetracks. They have
gone so far they have brought about the
destruction of a great popular sport and
well-nigh cut the foundation from under
an industry of vast economic import
ance to the country"
Mr.. Belmont declined to say again
the Jockey Club and the
race tracks of New York intended to
appeal to the Legislature now sitting
ct Albany for relief.
Ship Horses Away.
One of the first consequences of the
decision of the track owners of New
York not to apply for racing dates
while the law holding the directors of
race courses criminally liable for acts
of others of which they cannot have
knowledge on the courses they con-
troll, is August Belmont's announce
ment that he will ship to Great Brit
ain four of his best two-year-olds.