New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-07
COMMENT ON SPORTS
Lovers of Racing Have Reason
Now To Be Joyful.
TRACKS FACE BIG LOSS
Loaded Bowling Ball Seems To
Be Doomed, and It's
High Time.
By Herbert.


High Time.
BY Herbert.
Lovers OF thoroughbred racing have
reason to rejoice over the announcement
made last Friday OF meetings at Belmont
Park. Jamaica and Saratoga Springs in
an effort 10 revive the sport on plane in
keeping with the law prohibiting public
bookmaking and with the importance Of
the great thoroughbred breeding industry.
Owners Of the various racing associations
and members Of the Jockey Club will be
misiudccd II will be pointed out that
the return OF racing means a return to the
old davS Of free and open betting. such
will not be the case. Betting there will
be-must be. II may BE- said-if for no
other reason than to localiZe interest I'm
any particular race. but the sport will be
conducted on the assurance OF those whose
word must be respected. under the strict
letter OF the law as interpreted by Justice
Scudder aud sustained by the Appellate
Division This does not preclude what has
come 10 bc called oral betting. and relieves
owners and directors OF the various assoc
cations Of criminal liability for any bet
ting that may he done on their premises.
II may not he easy TO arouse enough
interest i'm racing this year Ia insure the
associations against loss but these losses
will not be so great in view Of the fact
that SO many good sportsmen have come
forward and subscribed TO a fund amount
ins 10 5000, which will be used as
added money 10 some OF the historic
stakes. This will relieve the associations
and tend 10 make racing fairly profitable
TO the owners who maintain expensive
stables Lovers Of the thoroughbred must
now do their part 10 help those who are
making such strenuous efforts 10 rehabili-
tate the keen invigoratine sport Of rae
ing. II they will lend their support and
cooperation and accept conditions as they
find them il Will not take long 10 build up
once more on a much more stable founda-
ton than Of old.
The breeding industry. which means 50
much To any country. has suffered a
frightful loss since racing was dscon-
tinued in this state. some three Years ago.
The shriukage Of vested capital has been
enormous. and thousands upon thousands
Of dollars have been lost 20 those who
We're mainting breeding farms in this aud
other states II has been pointed ou'
time and time again that the racetrack
is the testing ground FOR the thoroughbred.
and that il is essential in providing an
e., "a IlT.-
able for reinount or other purposes. IL
costs money 10 breed horSes-that is the
right kind Of horseS-and 10 requires the
test of bitter strife tc prove that the right
lines are being followed 10 get the Uuest
ana best results.
The return Of racing will be welcome.
and now that the dark days appear 10 be
passing il can be hoped only that those
who govern the sport Will profit bv the
lessons Of the past and conduct IL iu a
manner that VIII close the door 10 unfair
and adverse criticism II may he added
that racing. Of course. is contingent on th"
Court ~ Appeals Sustaining the decision
OF the lower courts.
Although the death kneli Of the loaded
bowling ball has been sounded on more
than one occasion the reycrbeIations are
stil audible. with the determination Of
the New York boWlers 20 stamp ont this
instrument At the annual convention Of
the National Bowling Association next
Saturday in Rochester IL appears as Y
its doom IS sealed Those who ought To
know declare that the vast majority OF
bowlers are opposed 10 the use of the
loaded bail. for the reason that 10 per
mts man with natural imperfectlOus
in delivery to overcome hls faults by ar
thcial means. Weight can be 50 con
centated in loaded bail that an ar'i-
fetal hook il obtained a bowler who
cannot deliver the curved ball naturally
can by this means do go.
II has been demonstrated that a loaded
or lop-sided ball reduces science and skill
10 mere question Of finding spot
where the mechanical delivery can be
used TO advantage. The game becomes n
question OF delivery at the iou. line
rather than the resourcefulnes-. skill and
erly the full sixty-nve feet from foul line
10 pit The expert who has plenty Of
time for bowling and INDUCES constantly
is able TO outdistance the man who rolls
for fun. for the latter has little time TO
make q machine OF himself
The loaded bail as an artificial aid IN
p.t,ipg strikes l. no less fragrant a viola
ton Of good craftsmanship than rutty
alleys. on which only those who know
the spot" get lasting results. Some Of
those who have gone on record as
strongly opposed 10 the loaded ball are
the following: John J. VOORHEES,, tine little
wizard. William Cordes. president Of the
Eastern Alley Owners Association: VIII
lam Kirk president OF the National
Bowling Association; William II. Nalen-
tine. president Of the New York Bowling
Association. Frank VI. Clute. former
president Of the New York Bowling As
ISOLATION and National Bowling Associa-
ton Charles II. Ebbets, William h. Null
ford former chairman OF the metropoli-
tan championship committee: Elmer f..
DUNCAN. treasurer Of the National Bowl
ing Association. and Joseph Thum, presi-
dent OF the United Bowling Clubs.
The Giants are coming. They will he
in Washington to-day and tomorrow and
home on Wednesday to furnish a real
test for the Yale team.