The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-31

, LOOKING backward along tho trail OF
the grandoldope. we find that hero and
the statistical dabblers. and now como
to that point In tho road where we
can faithfully and truthfully indulge IN
an "I-told-you-so" Yesterday Ath-
letics and Giants both edged to the
front in their respective leagues. Tho
Giants by dousing the Robins twice
passed the Pirates. who were being
handed n sizeablo package by one OF
acGraw's own pupils. Buck Herzog.
latest and youngest of Garry Her
mann's employees The Mackmcn were
not so fortunate, being forced to share
their days work with tho Yankees,
but, since Washington was accorded
tho Same treatment In Boston. tho
White Elephants still lead the process
sion. 1t was Decoration Day in more
ways than ono. and since It marks
forever and ever the tuxning point in
the 1914 career of the habitual PEN
nant winners. the two Mes, 1t will be
referred to oftener than onco.
Which recalls that tho Colts wcre
successful I'm winning two games out
OF as many starts against tho Coolers.
IL mas been Il long time, wocfully
long period. since such an announces
ment could be made. But, In addition
those Same Colts were we'll on tho way
TO another victory when tho storm nut
an end to hosttlities. Two In n row is
quite an achievement against Peters-
burg. but had three been our portion
sui there arc other series.
In Goobervllle they still opine his
name is Heinie Busch.
But over here-don't think we're l,an.
they say his name Is mush
Which may or may not provo that all
the world loves a winner
Tho absolute surrender of tho book.
makers in Norfolk spells the death Of
racing in Virginia. So long as there
was 4 fighting chance the bookies
and their hackers wcro willing to
night. but armed with tho law and the
evidence, the authorities wcrc prepared
to prove every charge made. It is
mighty hard matter to support
wrong and paint II so that 1t looks
right. or at least SO that IT stimulates
right to such an extent that the pub-
lie is fooled.
We are not in sympathy with that
part OF tho public that believes bet
ting In Itself is bad. any more than
we think drink I'm itself is bad. 1t
is always the abuse Of these things
that get them into Ill repute. But II
was the law OF Virginia that no open
betting be allowed in the State and
since that was the law. Attorney-Gen-
eral Pollard and his assistants deserve
nothing but unstintcd praise for tho
success that they have achieved II It
lis bad law It should be repealed, but
being the law 1t Is well that 1t has been
enforced.
We happened to be In Norfolk dur
Ing the raid and Afterwards, and wrote
then, as we reiterate now, that tho
merchants, the business people of Nor
iolk did not want the races. II they
had wanted them they would have con-
tinued to have them. for regardless of
even the law, the public will usually
have what It wants IL 1t wants 1t badly
enough. However. the races were ruin
ing the credit OF young men who were
earning nominal salaries. and had be-
fore been good credit customers. They
stopped paying their bills to gamble
on the races. and the bookmakers In
variably carried away with them vast
ly moro money than was brought to
Norfolk by the track followers.
Tho victory II Mr.. Pollard WIN prob
ably mean that what little betting was
done here during the State Fair will
cease. There is no law against oral
betting. and this may be INDUCED In
as much as one desires. However the
doing away with open bookmaking and
racing.
Larry Waterbury's injury may mean
more to the American Polo team than
Is credited. Tho Waterbury pair
formed pretty nearly the defensive
backbone of the home guards, and II
is going to be no easy task to I'LL
Larrys position. That cry OF wolf
from England should be taken with a
grain of salt. and followers of the
sport will be surprised IL they believe
that American is going to have a walk
over.
1t is rather peculiar but the New
York papers cannot agree upon the
success or nonsuccess of the Feds.
No two OF the metropolitan dailies
carries the same sort of a story. One
holds that the new league IS about to
disintegrnte; another that 1T Is on the
high road to success. One says that
the big league players in the organ
iZation can be counted on one hand.
and another that tho league is on the
eve OF a big raid into major league
ranks. just awaiting the decision in
the Chief johnson case as to the valid
ity of the reserve clause in organized