The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1918-12-06
Race Fund is Refused.

Jackson H. Ralston, chairman of the
T zee Georges county chapter of the
Rid Cross, acting upon instruction of
H. ~ White, manager of the Potomac
,!tsi-ion, announced he will refuse the
tender of any part of the Bowie race
track gate receipts as donation to the
Red Cross fund.
Mr.. White, in letter to Mr.. Ralston'
stated the use of the name of the Red
Cross to advertise the race meet last
Monday was in violation of an act of
Congress. Mr.. Ralston first wrote Mr..
White. telling him that the Bowie race
track officials were using the name of
the Red Gross to advertise one of their
meets.
He said in this letter:
The sum of SIS, 900 may, if we con
sent, be received by the Prince Geor
ge's Chapter OF the Red Cross, but be-
fore it is so received certain questions
arise which 1 desire to submit to you
and, if necessary, through you to the
national headquarters, and this involves
a brief statement of facts.
The Bowie Race Track is an insti-
tuition located in Prince Georges coun-
ty, owned by corporation whose stock,
in turn, belongs almost if not exclusive
ly to three or four men in Baltimore
who have heretofore been described in
the Baltimore Sun as well known in
sporting circles and who are, from ali
the information we have been able to
obtain, notorious gamblers, one of the
most prominent of them having been,
in several occasions, in the hands of the
law.
Throughout the entire State. except
some three or four places Bowie being
one of them) gambling on races is for,
hidden, but at Bowie license has been
granted permitting the carrying on of
gambling on the so-called pari-mutuai
system. 1t is safe to say that but for
the gambling privileges the Bowie race
track would have few attendants
THAT the moral influence of the
track has been bad in the neighborhood
in which it is located is beyond quest
ion, and its continuance is in opposition
to the opinion and feelings of the Cir,
cult Judge for the district who lives in
Prince Georges county. although he
has been over-ruled by two judges from
other parts of the district.
1T remains to be added that the use
of the Red Cross as sort of advertise
snent to bring people to the race track
incidentally, into contact with the gam
bling carried on at that point, was not
authorized by the Prince George g
Chapter in any manner whatsoever.
I'm view of the foregoing considera.
tons, l should be pleased to have ar
authoritative expression of opinion as
to whether, under all the circumstances
it is advisable or right that the Prince
Georges County Chapter of the Rec
Cross should accept money which would
s,ot have been gathered together excep
for the illicit use of its name and the
appeal which gambling facilities make
to a certain type of mind"
Mr.. White, in reply to this letter
said after citing the act of Congress:
You are quite right in thinking tina
money collected as a result of illIci
use of the name of the Red Cross, il
violation of an act of Congress, SHOULD
not be accepted by Prince George
county or any other chapter, and yol
are authorized to refuse acceptance o
any such contribution to Red eros
funds should it be offered to your chapt
er. You are furthermore authorized t.
give such publicity to this letter as yo
may deem advisable.