The Washington times., 1917-10-30
Judges Hold Decision.
In Bowie Racing Case
RESERVE DECISION
IN BOWIE RACING
AFTER A HEARING

NFor four hours, except for a recess
OF half an hour for luncheon. Chief
Judge J. ?. Briscoe and his associates
Fillmore Beall and B. H. Cammalier
In the circuit court Of Prince Georges
county, at Upper Marlboro, Yesterday
listened to arguments pro and cor
pertaining TO the granting of license
.or the race meeting to be conducted
by the Southern Maryland Agricul-
tural Association, of Bowie. Md, al
Prince Georges Park from November
Il to so. inclusive.
At the end no verdict was rendered.
Chief Judge Briscoe announcing that
the court had taken the case under
consideration anu this means that de.
etsion probably will be withheld until
the latter part of the week. When
Attorney Shirley Carter, in behalf of
the Southern Maryland Agricultural
Association, requested that license
be granted for a fifteen-day race meet
Ing to be held at Bowie on the dates
already mentioned, forces, lead by the
Anti-racetraek Gambling Association
formed by DR.. W. W. Davis, opposed
1T and their argument was presented
by J. Kemp Bartlett, of Baltimore.
and James c. Rogers, OF Upper Marl-
boro.
On a technicality OF the fIinE OF
the application for the license by the
Southern Maryland Agricultural AS
feociation was based the principal at
tack directed by the opposition, and
was the bone of a spirited verbal bat
tie between the lawyers of the two
forces
According TO a Maryland statute,
which permits racing in Prince
Georges county. and on which Mr..
Carter, representing the Bowie race
track, cwelt largely on the right OF
1he racing folk TO be granted a license
10 conduct their meeting, It is neces-
sary that the application for twenty
hve registered voters to sign it in the
Fourteenth district of Prince Georges
county, where the track is located, and
this, with the announcement OF the
intention of the association to con-
duct q melting, to be published three
weeks before the filing OF the appli-
cation for a license.
OF the twenty-five names presented
by the Southern Maryland Agricul-
tura1 Association the opposition de-
clared that one was not a registered
voter, but in the meantime FIVE addi-
tional names OF registered voters had
been added to the list, and in Mr..
Carter's plea in behalf of the racing
association, this was all that was re-
quired. indsmuch as the names had
been presented in court.
Besides having made an attack on
speculation at the races, Messrs. Bart
lett and Rogers denounced the aims
OF the association. contending that
mo agricultural exhibition was held
in connection with the racing, but
Mr.. Carter argued that there was no
statute covering the fair side, and, in
asmuch as the association owned the
80 acres of land on which the meet
ings are held. it had a right to exer-
else the attractions il offered, IL be-
ing an Incorporated body.
Mr.. Carter also challenged the dec
laration Of the opposition that racing
was banned in all but two states
Maryland and Kentucky-and named
twelve in which thoroughbreds were
meeting annually. and his closing ar.
Kument made such an eloquent plea
on racing as a sport, its relative mer-
its as a breeding industry, those in
sympathy with the sport, who listened
Rttentively to the arguments of both
factions left the courthouse hopeful
the decision would favor the promo
tion of the sport on the dates which
the Sockey Club had allotted the
Southern Maryland Agricultural AS
>Eociation