El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-02-16
To FORM 4 LEAGUE
To PROTECT
SPORT IS
Remarkable Gathering in
Interest Of Racing and
Other Sports.

New York. \. Y, Feb IA Sports
mems League" or. as it might better
be called. a "Sportsmen's Protective
league" will be launched tonight at
the millionaire dinner" presided over
bv August Belmont. at the Waldorf
Astoria. The avowed object OF TINS
lea que is the formation of an or
sanitation to deal with the malicious
attacks" made. from time to time, upon
sports OF all kinds, but it is SAID the
underlying motive Of this feast OF
sportsmen is the resumption OF racing
in New York state. Color is lent TO
this rumor by the fact that while the
league" is ostensibly TO protect
sports Of all kinds. racing men are de-
cidedIy in the majority
II has been known for some time
that there has long been fomentins IN
the minds Of wealthy patrons Of sport
an agitation against the vice crusad IS.
which have made such inroads upon
nearly every form of sport enjoyed IN
America The reason given for so long
a delay in launching such project is
that the men, who because OF their
wealth. must father such a plan Of re-
taliation. have been doubtful Of its re-
centfou by sportsmen. It is said, how
ever that they have long had their
fingers on the pulse Of public senU-
nent and believe the time is now iipe
for drastic action. Hence the most no
table gathering of Americas sporting
fraternity that has taken place WITHIN
a decade
VIII EmbOdy n Broad Principle.
The scheme for a Protective league"
though new to this country has long
been in operation abroad, and has met
with notable success. especially in
England The league" in this coun-
try will embody a broad protective
principle and viii be composed OF men
who are willing to throw aside all in
6ividual tastes for q partic ulaT branch
Of sport and support the whole e1lnce-
1t will also be comprehensive enough
to meet the well organized attacks OF
reformers and. if need be, carry the
warfare into their own territory
While the credit Of the idea is pretty
we'll distributed among Americas
ulultf-miliionaires Harry ". Smith Of
Grafton, Mass, master Of the Grafton
Hounds, and the London Wax Hunts
has been especially commended By fell
low sportsmen for his part, bo-h III
disseminating the scheme in America
and the organization OF the dinner.
Mr.. Smith. who is one Of the best
known cross country men in America.
personally riding two winners of
the Grand National steeplechase at
Morris Park, has made a thorough
study OF the English organization and
modified the scheme for adoption in
this country. besides actively spread
ing its propaganda among his fellows
Banquet Remarkable Affair.
The banquet itself viii be one Of the
most remarkable affairs ever given at
the metropolis. No expense has been
spared in decorating the great hall Of
the WaIdorf-Astoria. and the art col
lections Of millionaire sports
men. as well as those Of the greatest
art firms in England and America have
been ransacked to furnish the decora-
tions for the occasion Rare paintings.
pictures and cups, together with tro-
phies and emblems Of all forms of
sport, have been freely given that these
men Of millions may seat themselves
amid art objects and trophies worth
fortunes IN themselves.
Word has gone forth the world over
Of the object Of this dinner. and mil
nonaires touring Europe. Asia and
Japan have hurried home to be present
at the dinner.