Evening journal., 1912-12-21

ASk REF0RM
in RACING
Big Fair Chiefs Think it Time
to Stop Padding Of
Entry Lists
HAGERSTOWN DROPS
OUT OF THE CIRCUIT

A special meeting OF the Big Fair
Circuit Stewards was held yesterday
at the Bingham House, Philadelphia,
tor the purpose Of endeavoring to de-
wise a practical solution Of the injur-
ious practice of making false entries
20 the races The plan heretofore
has been to allow horses TO be named
IN two or more classes. although they
usually make only single start.
thereby deceiving the people who at
tend the races, thus putting the as
sociations in bad position before the
public II is termed padding the
entry list. and this has become OBJ
noxious.
President Benajah Wills, of Mt
Holly, presided. with stewards pres
ent representing Kurtztown. Potts.
town, Wilmington, Nazareth, Allen
town, Trenton and members Of the
new track at Byberry, who may De-
come attracted to the Fair Circuit
In opening the discussion against
padded entry lists that are sent out
yearly TO the newspapers by the fair
secretaries, an article was read by
Secretary l.. =. Randall. OF Trenton,
showing the entries made for the var
ious associations during the season Of
1912 and the number OF horses start
ing in races. by which II appears that
nearly one-half failed 10 put In an
appearance.
Howard T. Wallace, Of the Whining
ton Association. presented a PROPOSE
tion TO remedy the difficulty. lie sug-
gested that all horses entered pay an
entrance fee Of 10 per cent OF the
purse offered. with the provision that
all horses starting in races pay only
2 IL per cent. with an additional
per cent from money winners, di-
,lided SO. %, 10, 10 per cent Under
this plan a horse that fails to start
would have TO pay the full 10 per cent.
entrance fee He further advised
that all entries not starting be
suspended for the amount due the as
sociation and all horses must be de-
clared out Of the races before 7
o'clock the night before the races are
scheduled to be decided
Mr. Wallace also favors a rule per-
mtting any horse that has been en-
tered in any class in which he is elig-
ible according to the established rules
OF the National Trotting Association.
shall be eligible by post-entry TO start
In any or all other classes In which
he is eligible. That plan will do away
with padding the lists of entries sent
out
A horse entered and starting. say in
the 2.30 trot could by making post
ENTRY become eligible to the 225 class
any other day of the meeting, provid-
INK he was still eligible.
Arguments on the Wallace PROPOSE
ton We're taken mp pro and con by
President wills. Harry Schall, l.. p
Randall. Joseph Davidson, Romeo
Biggs and Richard wills The cd.
bate ended by a resolution TO be sent
TO Secretary Gocher, of the National
Association, as 10 the legality OF the
proposition and If the reply is favor
able the matter will be decided al a
meeting 10 be held early in January
The resignation from the Big Fair
Circuit Of Hagerstown, Md, which has
become attached to the Pennmawi
Circuit was accepted with regret. II
making a vacancy in the Circuit
which will probably be filled az the
January meeting by the admission oi
Byberry. Philadelphia, If the dates
are acceptable.
Those present were President r. p
Wills, Mt Holly; Harry Schall. AL
lentown; L. p Randall. Trenton: w
e. Baker, Pottstown; II. T. Wallace
Joseph Davidson, S. H. Wilson, Jr.
Wilmington; E. =. Deitrick. A. X
lLeaser. F. S. Kurtz. Kurtztown: JONI
r. Reinheimer Herbert Snyder, Naz
.areth; Richard wills. Mt Holly
Romeo Biggs, William Cleave
Mathew Hirst. John Barber, Doc
Clemens and r. M. Laycock.