Imperial Valley press., 1912-10-17
RACETRACK GAMBLING
BY Franklin HtchbOrn

BY Franklin Hichborn
Up to the present time, not one news
paper in California has come out in
favor of the racetrack gambling bill
that has, by trickery and misrepresen-
voted upon at the general election in
November; no political party has en-
dorsed it; legitimate sportsmen and
sportsmen's publications are repudiat~
ing it; from one end of the state to
the other the people are organizing to
bring about its defeat. The supporters
OF the measure, their trickery exposed,
themselves and their misrepresentation
made ridiculous, are not having much
to say in the open.
Parties Are Emphatic
The Progressive Republicans conven-
ton inserted a plank in their platform
setting forth that the Progressive wing
CT the party is opposed to any meas
ures that tend in any manner to legal
ize or revive racetrack gambling" The
Democrats are even more emphatic.
I'VE are opposed" reads the Demo-
cratic plank on this subject, Ito the in
itiated measure which. under false
Of racetrack gambling in this state in
any guise."
I'VE are earnestly opposed" say the
Socialists in their platform, ito the ini-
tiative measure to be voted upon at
the November election which, under the
pretense of encouraging horse racing,
is in reality intended to legalize race
track gambling, and we urge all citi-
zens to vote against this vicious meas
ure"
The Taft Republicans in their plat
form strongly protest against the
gamblers attempt to revive form of
gambling which has been repudiatel
and outlawed.
Thus Democrat and Republican, Pro
gressive and Reactionary, unite in con-
demning the measure which the gamb-
ling element is scheming to have en-
acted into law.
Would Kill the State Fair
What would be the effect of the en-
aotment of this gambling bill?" was
asked a gentleman who took prominent
part in the management of the state
fair. recently brought to a successful
close.
1t would kill the state fair" vas tbs
Immediate reply
with racetrack EambliuE eliminate 4
i. Is now possible to have legitimate
racing and successful fairs. with the
blight of racetrack gambling upon
state and district fairs. they have been
| failures in the past, and would, the
fair managers recognize, prove fail
ures in the future.
>portsmen's Papers Against Ii
The publications devoted to clear
sports are also denouncing the bill
and advising the public to vote against
! il. Horsemen, in addition to their OBJ
| lection to the gambling features of the
bill, are opposed to the provision which
permits race meetings Of 100 days du
ration. Applied to the northern par
| of the state, a racing club could ract
at Tanforan for 100 days and 100 day
az Emeryville each year, in reality Z
geo ~ season. The 19O7-S season a
| EmeryvRle lasted $50 days. HorsemeI
denim long race meetings. ANY or
ganization that conducts a race meet
! ng 100 days in the year." says "Whec
and Saddle" lis not organized to i'm
prove any breed Of horses, but solel.
| hat viii be done on these races. Con
tinuous racing brings about cheaI
traces for poor horses, and is the chic
cause Of the dope evil, which has don,
incalculable injury to the thorough
bIeds."
THE bill" says Wheel and Saddle.
in putting its final stamp of disapprov
al upon this gambling measure, wa
not drawn up by the harness hor5
lpeople, but by a coterie who wish :,
revive the Old order of things a
| Emeryville."
such is the opinion of clean sports
men Of the initiated gambling law.
Organization Perfected
The movement to educate the publ
to the purpose and meaning of thi
gambling law is sweeping the state. Il
southern California a committee of 10
has perfected organization for the pur
pose of conducting a campaign of edu
cation against the measure.
In northern California an independ
ent organization has been formed, tn
IAnti-Racetrack Gambling league. wit
1 headquarters at the Key Route Inn
J Oakland.
ALFALFA SEED
The very best, guaranteed absolutel,
clean and cheaper than poor seed, il
being sold. A shipment of fresh garde,