The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-09-20
HAvRE DE GRACE RACE TRACK.
No One Anxious To Shoulder
Blame For The Gambling
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1 Layout.
Since the race track gamblers have
4 taken possession of Havre de Grace and it
has come to light that the bookmakers are
given such unestrained license by the
law, on one seems anxious to claim re-
sponsibility for the passage of the meas
ure. Gov. Goldsborough claims the bill
was misrepresented to him. or he would
have vetoed it. the Hartford members Of
the Legislature disclaim all knowledge of
the snake" hidden in the measure. and
SO it goes. One fact is pretty evident,
and that is the gamblers put one over"
on the people.
While no one will admit responsibility
for the race track gambling the Baltimore
News mentions several who are vitality
interested therein and are pro6ting by it.
The bill created racing commission.
On this racing commission. says the
News, is M. H. Fahey, reading clerk of
the last Senate. Mr.. Fahey was until
few days ago the secretary and treasurer
Of the Mahon-O Leary racetrack. This
same Mr.. Fahey is the paid consel to the.
treasurer of Hartford county. whose duty
Iit is to see that the Racetrack Association
pays to the County Commissioners the
proper amount Of gate receipts tax. And
the county treasurer has put man at the
gate to check up the county's end of the
receipts-Thoma c. Hopkins, member
OF the last House of Delegates and close
tfriend of Mr.. Fahey. MI. Fahey is a
close political friend Of State Treasurer
Murray Vandiver. Mr.. Vandivers son,
r. M. Vandiver, is a director of the race
track.
The counsel TO the Racing Commission.
of which Mr.. Fahey is member, is
Stevenson A. Williams of Belair. Mr..
Williams IS also counsel to the Mahon-
O'Leary racetrack and a stockholder
therein. Mr.. Williams son. Lewis, is
member of the Racing Commission. Mr..
Williams son-in-law. Harry Webster. is
director of the racetrack. Mr.. Fahey is
friend of Mr.. Williams. Mr.. Williams,
though Of different political faith, is a,
friend of Mr.. Fahey.
The Hartford county Grand Jury wants
to find out some things about this big
gambling scheme, and is investigating
the matter.
Secretary r. M. Vandiver, of the asso-
citation, who is son of Gen. Murray
Vandiver. was summoned to appear
before the jury and bring the stock books.
i 1t is believed that these will prove an
interesting exhibit because of the large
amount of ''gift" stock that has been is
MISREPRESENTATION made to various per-
sons of more or less influence. regarding
which the grand jury would like to be
enlightened.
1t is no secret in Hartford county that
a number of persons who held stock in
the race concern originally--either by
purchase or through gift-have disposed
of their holdings since the light has been
thrown on the gambling crowd at Havre
de Grace, or are in almost panic to do
so now. They have no desire to have
their names associated with poolroomi
enterprise. especially as the impression is
growing that the promoters and foreign"
managers seem likely to reap the bulk Of
whatever financial harvest may result.
| Offcials Of the racing concern, members
of the Hartford County Racing Commis-
sion, members of the House of Delegates
from the county and others were sum-
moned before the grand jury to testify
concerning the legislation creating the
commission, the formation of the track
organization, conduct of affairs at the
track and any other petinent matter re-
garding conditions that are making
Havre de Grace and Maryland notorious
throughout the country as the greatest
track gambling centre in the land.