Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-11
PAR|- MUTUEL BETTING
At P|ML|C0 ATTACKED
Reformers Claim Machines CONNER.
cialize Racing for the Benefit
OF Privileged Clique.
WILL APPEAL TO LEGISLATURE
Misinformed Persons Talking About
Lcgalizing This Method In New
York-Lawmakers VIII Hardly
Consider Measure.

NEW YORK. January 1o.-Pari-mu-
tuel betting in Maryland has caused
serious trouble for the promoters OF
the Pimlico race track, near Baltimore.
These men operate under the name Of
tho Maryland Jockey Club, and recently
they filed their annual financial report,
which showed that in twnnty-six days
s2.76o, 900 had been wagered by the pub
lie through the mutuel machines.
Tho Piinlico track. therefore. derived
profit of s177.500 in percentage and
"breakage" from this form OF specula-
ton. which la about twice rs much as
the Havre de Grace track took for book
making privileges In the same number
OF days
Is Basis of Attack.
Reformers who have been fighting
licensed gambling at the Maryland
track for several years have made tho
Piml!co tracks, report tho basis for an
other bitter attack, which, it Is pre-
dictcd. will result in legislation tina,
will wipe out the mutucls and perhaps
the bookmakers. The reformers have
published half-page stories at regular
advertising rates In the Baltimore
newspapers, exposing tho operations OF
the betting public at Pimlico. Under
the caption, 'Marylands Disgrace" it
is charged that the Legislature has
mado 1t possible to commentaries rae
Ing for the benefit OF n privileged clique.
The reformers have quoted President
Clyde. OF tho Pimlico track, as follows:
Il have owned and raced running
horses for many years. but l never laid
bet on horse in my life. I leave
that to weaklings and fools" II is
stated that Mr.. Clyde made these re-
marks In speech before u legislative
committee to prove that tho track own
crs did not take part in the betting
end OF the game. The attack includes
cuts Of the mutucl betting booths and
machines at the PImlico track, together
with an appeal to the citizens OF Mary
land to use their influence with the
evils at the next session of the Lcgis-
laturc.
Source of Revenue, They Say.
Race track men in Maryland say that
the mutucls both at Plmlico and Laurel
have attracted too much attention; that
these tracks installed tho system 10
increase their revenues rather than to
protect the public. The machines have
provided figures that cannot DO dis
puted, whereas tho bookmnlsing system |
Kept this sort OF information secret.
Conditions, therefore, have become SO
serious. that tho sport IN Maryland an.
pears to be In danger Of suppression
l. IT Is asserted that II all the tracks
had been satisfied to go along together
with the books instead of the machin ca
successful crusade against the turf
In Maryland would have been practi-
cally impossible. There isn't n doubt |
that the mutuels have not met with
universal favor. and that IL they are
wiped out there will be no public re-
greet.
Mny Use Them In New York.
Misintormod persons are talking
about the possibility Of legalizing the
mutuels in the State of New York. a
rumor has been in circulation lately i
that the Legislature may be asked to |
pass bill providing for machine spec |
uiation on the Jockey Clubs tracks. |
II has also been limited that the CON
st'tutional Convention may vote on an
amendment favoring this form of bet |
ting. But il can be said that there is !
no chance for favorable Legislation
along these lines
The legislature at Albany and the
Constitutional Convention cannot az !
ford TO stand for any measure that
VIII permit revival Of public |
gambling. Mutuel betting Is regarded
here rs violation of the lottery law.
rhe machines would be termed
gambling paraphernalia, and If legal
lied they would lead to betting In and
outside of the race tracks. The courts
have decided that personal wagcrs can
be made orally and settled in cash
without violating the antibookmakins
laws.
Expect Plenty of Action
II the tracks Will take advantage of
all the decisions handed down by the
higher courts since the hookmakcrs'
ring was wiped out by former Governor
Hughes there will be plenty of action
Governor Whitman believes that the
laws, as they have been interpreted by
the courts of this State, do not pro-
vide hardshipa for the betting public
! In short, there can be much personal
liberty on the New York tracks with
nlf h f.intr nrto
ings.
iT0-DAY'S RACE CARD
| At Mc(AT mi Chhc