The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-02-20
MAY RACE AS
TEST Of THE
MABEY BILL
Governors Approval Of Anti.Bettin9
Measure is Given; Friendly
Infraetion and Consequent
Suit "Bookies'
Idea
Ensign Gets Pen


Utah state fair counts the receipts
Of the great annual exposition in DC.
tober he may use In casting up the
totals a pen which has an historic
association. When Governor William
Spry signed yesterday the bill pro-
hibiting betting on horse races he
carefully laid aside the pen and left
the Office. Mr. Ensign came in
moment later. This is the pen that
did the deed" remarked John X.
Hardy. the governors secretary.
ITS mine," declared the fair secre-
tary as he dived for the trophy.
Although the signature of Cover
nor William Spry affixed yesterday
to house bill No. "a put into immedi'
ate effect the law prohibiting betting
on horse races, race meet" which
will establish record for brevity is
contemplated. In order to make
test of the constitutionality of the
new law, it is proposed to assemble
few of the race horses now quar-
tered at Lagoon and have them meet
in speed" contest. A 'Dooxmaker"
will accept wager on the result of
the contest. The layer and the play
er will then be arrested and test
of the law will follow.
Governor Spry attached his name,
which made the bill law, yesterday
afternoon. The bill, carrying the
emergency clause, went into effect
at 4:S0 p. IN. after most or the pool
rooms had closed their books The
house journal for February IL was
so revised that 1t was shown that the
bill was transmitted to the governor
February IA. This ended the legal
transactions by legislature and gov
ernor necessary to sound the death
of racetrack gambling in Utah.
H. I. Wilson, vice president and
general manager of the Lagoon Rae
ing association, said last night
when informed Of the action by the
governor, that suggestion had been
made to him that the Mabey law be
tested in the manner outlined in the
first paragraph. He added that the
association had not yet decided on
that or any other plan Of action.
Il have not read the bill and can
not say at this time II We will take
any action whatever in the matter"
he said.
Feels Bad About It
Mr.. Wilson apparently feels deep
ly the action of the legislature in
abolishing betting on races, which
he AYERS means the adjustment of
racing in Utah.
up to 1911 the state had no re-
ally high class racing" he says. The
sport in previous years was not OF a
high order, but nevertheless 1t re-
ceived the sanction of the law. Now
that my associates and ! have in
vested large sum Of money in the
Lagoon plant, placed this section in
the intermountain racing circuit and
furnished a high class Of racing.
properly conducted, prohibitive laws
are enacted"
That the law as passed by the leg
islature and approved yesterday by
the governor is defective, was claim
ed by racing authorities last night.
A section OF the bill declares guilty
of a felony ANY person who receives
or forwards in any manner whatso-
ever any money, thing or considera-
ton of value for the purpose Of be-
ing bet or wagered. etc.
It is asserted that under the above
section telegraph company receiv-
ing money In this state to be trans.
mitted 10 a race track in any other
state or country would be liable to
penalties prescribed in the new law.
This, 1t is claimed, is in conflict with
the laws governing interstate com
merce.
According to the same authorities,
newspaper which publishes racing
results and entries would be liable
under another section of the new
law, which provides that amy per-
son who aids, assists or abets in any
msnner in any Of said acts which
are hereby forbidden is guilty Of a
felony. etc"
It is suggested that publication
in the press OF racing information
may be wagering.
These and other points of the new
law are said to be under considera.
ton by legal talent, who will deter
mine II a test is to be made.
Although the law went into effect
at midnight yesterday, it Is likely
that the turf exchanges on State
street Just outside the city limits