Weekly journal-miner., 1915-03-31
RACING BILL IS KILLED
 BY VETO OF GOVERNOR

Hunt vetoed senate bill lZo, creating a state racing commission and author izing the use of the pari-mutuel sys- tcm at race meetings. In vetoing the bill the governor stated his belief that it met with the disapproval Of ma jority of the citizens of the state, but pointed out that if the supporters of the measure so desired, they could initiate the bill at the next general election.
 Petitions for and against the mea- sure had been widely circulated and numerous delegations waited on the governor during the ten-day period which ended yesterday some to ex- press hope that he would sign the bill, and others to urge him to place his veto on it. Those opposed to the measure becoming law were natur- ally more active and petitions circu lated among the various churches of the city and other parts of the state bearing over l,6O0 names, or enough to invoke a referendum on the meas ure are on file at the governors office. In favor of the measure there were 326 signatures. Although the gov ernor had not stated directly just what action he would take on the pari-mutuel bill, his action yesterday did not come as a surprise to many who had talked with him while the bill was under consideration.
 The governors letter of disapprov- al, which was sent to the secretary of state, with a copy of the bill, follows: ..... March B, 1915.
 Sir:-I have the honor to hand you herewith senate bill No. 125, which have disapproved, and which is en- titled:
 An act to create a state racing commission and to regulate and con trol horse race meetings, and author ize the use of the pari-mutuel system where horse race meetings are con ducted"
 This measure, as is suggested by this title, is designed to create state racing commission of five members, three of whom shall be appointed by the governor, and all of whom, acting in behalf of the state, shall annually issue licenses for race meetings and conduct under certain restrictions and regulations a system of betting on horse races known as the pari-mutuel
 It cannot be gainsaid that both the adherents and opponents of the plan set forth in senate bill No. 125, are able to adduce -some plausible reasons in support of their beliefs. Those who favor the measure argue, for eX- ample, that the pari-mutuel system would abolish frauds in horse racing, and would stimulate clean form of sportmanship, greatly to the business Interests of the state, and prevent abnses of the practice of betting.
 :, Those who oppose senate bill No. l25, are on the other hand, equally shtphatic in their denial of the ad- ratitages that might result from the tari-mutuel system, and in their pro- testations against law which, as is pointed out, might have deleterious effect upon public morals. It is such opponents that contend, briefly, by way of illustration, that a state, which expressly probihits gambling in all its forms, should not become a partner to the practice, and that any devia- tion from such an expressed disap- ptoval of games of chance, might have subtle and insidious effect Ipon the general morality of the people, especially the growing gener- ations.
 They equally convincingly point out that the whole tendency of the state in recent years has been toward the. Encouragement and prohibiting of gambling, and other forms of vice, while the proposed enactment con stitutes step in retrogression.
 As an indication of the widespread | interest, which has been manifested | in senate bill No. l25, it may be stat cd that on file in the governors office are. 326 signatures of petitioners in favor of the pari-mutuel measure, as compared with l,627 signers of pro- test against the enactment becoming ! 9 law. These figures, while they are not, of course, at all conclusive as a | barometer Of public sentiment, strong ly indicate that the preponderance of opinion throuhout Arizona is adverse to the measure under consideration.
 While disclaiming the remotest de sire to thrust my personal opinions into the controversy that has arisen over senate bill No. l25, am, never theless, most earnestly desirouS of having my action on this measure re- fleet, SO far as possible, the true feel ing of the great majority of the citi- zens of Arizona, whose executive
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