Omaha daily bee., 1916-02-06
OMAHA MAY HAVE
MATINEE RACING
Members Of Driving Club willing
to Provide the Horses, Track
and Grandstand.
CITY SHOULD SUPPORT PLAN
ny G. X. MURRAY.

Aho oAte OF the ihaua0ce OF the ground
hog from his winter quarters Is the
uspal time when horaemen abandon the
joys and disappointments OF last year as
topic Of conversation ana begin to talk
about plans for next season. So 81
proved In Omaha this year. the agHrega-
tion Of high class businessmen ana
sportsmen who staged the big revival
harness meeting at Baat Omaha laat
August having just started preparing
for 4 spring and summer OF magnificent
sport. ssrea $4,000
There is a new plan on foot gentlemen
or rather. II is a new development OF
splendid old plan. One Of the principal
features Of II is the givins OF something
for nothing 70 the public. which. It will
be conceded by all. is rarely done IN any
sport other than harness horse racing.
Club Members 10 Provide PIant.
Ths plan IL 60 hold matinees on the
speedway track 20 whlcn the public win
be admitted free. without She payment
OF sven a white chip. The fellows who
will provide the horses. track and grand
stand and do the driving, win be the
members OF the driving Grub. All they
ask is the support and interest OF the
city and county officials and the pub
lie. In return they are willing TO pro-
vide an unrivaled amusement feature
which will bring business here and give
the city much desirable advertising.
Otis Smith. prealdine genius OF the
Missouri Valley Elevator company. and
one Of the men who adorss the harness
sport IN Omaha, has some IDEAS on what
matinee racing u worth 10 a city. He
expressed a few Of them the other day
as follows;
Three cities Pay for Rasing,
.-rhe example set BY several cities In
previdlng matinee harness races should
not only appeal 70 the city officials Of
omaha, but TO all public spirited eiti-
sens, now that Omaha has one Of the best
equipped plants anywhere In the country
Milwaukee. Cleveland ana Denver are
three OF the cities In which matinee
harness races arc conducted by the mu-
niclpaiity Thdrc is not particle OF
doubt that the experiment will be at
tended with the same success that mas
characterized those OF ether cities. IL Is
rirniflcant and remarkable what hold
the competitions IN speed BY the morse
viii take up on the public favor, when
alvasfed OF all professional influences
ana surroundings.
blood II 40 sluggish that they cannot
fail 70 feel an exhileration in spirited
trotting race when conducted for pure
snort. In Denver, matinee harness rae
snK a by far the most popular Of sum
nser sports. and u win be 20 here when
Etaeed BY such mon as make up the al
rectory OF the Omaha Driylng club. fhs
city furnishes a band az the track eaoh
saturday afternoon and the racing Il
nut on By members OF the driving and
riding club free 10 the public. Thousond'
visat the track every Saturday 10 Eatet
lheso contests
Many Good HOFses Here.
'-Thero Il at the present time stahles
at the East Omaha track more and bette
horses than have ever been quartered a
one track IN the middle west. Thes'
horses are owned by people who enjol
the sport ana without doubt owners o
harness horses would cooperate will
the city IN conducting summer matinees
which have srown 20 popular In a lars
number OF cities, The late r. II. Harri
man built and gave 10 Goshen. n. T.,
splendidly equipped track and grounds
and over this historic track you cal
witness a speed carnival at their matine
races conducted purely for sport AM
entertsinment OF the people. Omaha hR
the track and grandstand and a lars
number OF might good horses
''commisEioners. get together With n
DFiving club officials ana lets have th'
good. wholesome sport here."
To Attend Cireuit MeettRa.
Edward Peterson. railroad contraeto
and president Of the driving club. an
Mr.. smith will 50 70 Chicago the nigh
Of February II TO attend the meetin
thers OF stewards OF the Great Wester
circuit. as representatives OF the local OF
ganizatlon.
They viii aAk for early dates in IN
circuit for next summer. Omaha aircad
has received assurance that Il would B
welcome In this big circuit and the MAJ
ter Of dates Is the only thing now wai
ing adjustment
Ths local club 4 reeognlzed the oountr
over as built on q firm foundation an
as destined 70 endure.
One obstacle which stands In the va
of ths progress OF the sport IN Oman
4 Ne dilatory tactics Of the Missou