Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-07
CHARITY TO BENEFIT
Maryland Club to Give Away
All Over 6 Per Cent Profit.
TEXT OF THE RESOLUTIONS
Pari-Mutuels to Supplant the Book
makers Next
Season.
TEXT OF THE RESOLUTIONS

Charity will in the future receive a share
OF the profits of the race meetings at
Plmlico. 1t has been decided to turn over
to some charitable organization or public
work all the money after deducting the
expenses of operation and 8 per cent in
terest on the investment. This decision
was reached by the Maryland Jockey
Club after due consideration
AT a meeting of the Baltimore county
racing commission last summer it was
resolved that after this year all tracks
In Baltimore county are to be operated
on the pari-mutuel system. Thus, in
future. the sport at Pimlico will be con-
Quoted with a minimum percentage de-
Quoted from the betting and the net re-
turns will go back to the public.
In the preamble to the resolutions the
directors of the Maryland Jockey Club
last week observed that:
''The history of racing shows that it's
rise or decline in popular favor. as we'll
as its proper control, has everywhere
depended upon the ultimate disposal of
the surplus profits derived from the CIV
ing of race meetings, to wit: That where,
as in France, the surplus profits are
used for great public works or charities
racing has steadily risen in popular ia
Vor, and has the approval and support
of the government; while where, as in the
United States, the surplus profits have
been retained by the individual pro-
motors of race, meetings racing has de-
clined in popular favor. until it has been
banished. in disgrace, from many states."
A World Wide Problem.
The action of the Maryland Jockey
Club was taken after exhaustive study
of the history of the sport in this and
other countries, and it is believed that
the policy outlined is the answer to a
worldwide problem. The resolutions fur
Their embody the motives and intents of
the club in the following language:
THE Maryland Jockey Club is lineally
descended from a racing organization of
that name, which, in 1880, began holding
race meetings for the encouragement and
improvement of the horse in the state OF
Maryland, and under various Organiza-
tons has since continued it's efforts in
that direction. always with the approval
and often with the active support of
many of the most distinguished and hon
ored citizens of the state.
The traditions and principles of the
Maryland Jockey Club are utterly arr
tagonistic to the spirit of commercialism
which now threatens to degrade racing
in Maryland, as it has elsewhere.
To Encourage the Sport.
1.-The profits of conducting race meet
ings in Maryland, owing to competition
with other states. were, until recently.
inconsderable, but, with such competi-
ton largely removed, have become great
err than the legitimate requirements here
inbefOre enumerated.
Every racing organization is entitled
to sufficient revenue for the following
purposes. to wit:
Il. To maintain and operate a race
course, that shall be safe, comfortable
and attractive.
''2. To maintain scale of prizes that
will encourage the keenest competition
in breeding and development of the high
est type of horse.
"3. To pay 6 per cent upon the capital
employed.
NO racing organization is entitled to
more than this"
Elsewhere. notably in Kentucky and
Canada, it has been amply demonstrated
is success in that minimum is taken
from the amount Of money used in bet
ting. With this experience in this coun-
try and the success abroad of the plan
to give the net profits of racing to public
works, it is the belief Of those interested
that practical middle ground has been
reached between, those who would COM
mercialize racing and those who would
abolish the sport. ~
For Adoption Elsewhere. q:
By this action Of the Maryland Jockey
Club. Maryland will become a point Of
central interest for all other states. and
if the plan works as well as it's promo
tiers anticipate the Maryland method will
be suggested for adoption everywhere.
Owners of half-mile tracks are agitated
over the pari-mutuel ruling of the racing
commission of Baltimore county. claiming
that their volume of business is not great
enough to warrant a pari-mutuei opera
ton. This matter has been of general
discussion among managers Of these half
mile local tracks. who will hold meet
ing shortly for formal discussion. Mr..
Redmond G. Stewart chairman of the
Baltimore county commission, has been
advised of this sentiment among half
mile track owners, but refuses to discuss