New-York tribune., 1919-07-07

some, delightful sport. For those
II they wish to strangle the goose O.
have enough money saved up already
The metropolitan season already has
been crowded with numerous reversals
OF form OF the most startling nature.
In not single instance have the stew
ards seen fit to ask even explanation.
The incompetence or indifference of
those IN the stands has long ago
passed the humorous point in tie
minds Of the patronizing public. Muir
murs are beginning to be heard.
Doubts are beginning to be expressed.
The pubic IS reaching that hamable
stage where little more goading is
likely to precipitate a reaction that will
re-echo far and near. The solons alone
Will be to blame if they are left to
sit in at their own inquest
a dozen or more cases come to mind
which merited official investigation,
but which, so far as is known, the
stewards have whitewashed by the SIM
pie manner of ignoring. There was the
Dan race, universally panned; the evil
dent pulling" of Reddest; and not of
the least the sensational victory of
Mimic II, after he had been beaten a
hundred yards by such horses as Wood
trap, Abadane, etc. One might go fur
ther and perhaps higher without be-
ing far amiss.
Sport Must Be Purged
The great trouble is that those who
represent the Jockey Club lack the
nerve to administer rules and regula-
tlons fearlessly. They take the mis-
taken attitudes that anything which
smacks of scandal jeopardizes the
of Tl,, oL
at all.
racing can become healthy and at
tain the popularity it merits only after
1T has been thoroughly purged Nor
should the purging single out the poor
horseman without influence and
friends. 1t should fall with equal
force on few of the prouder heads
which operate in the club house
=, Snatcnes of nasty gossip are going
the rounds-the kind of gossip which
cannot fail to impair the name of rae
| ing. There is talk of a clique in con-
! troll of the steeplechase Jockeys; of
another ring that has power over some
OF the most illus trious of the fiat
riders. This may be all so much bosh
and nonsense. But certainly the lack
Of initiation on the part of the stew
ards invites such popular beliefs. The
stewards should put racing above sus-
Plclon. This cannot be accomplished
by aek-stairs" policies.
allbi for all criticism 1--WE do not
recognize betting" Well, somebody
recognizes betting around our race
tracks. If one doesn't think so let him
cut into the oral game without proper
credentials. And, anyhow, so long as
betting is tolerated" why not give the
pubic as much protection as the pro-
fesslonal? 1t is coming to him. He
pays the freight when all is said and
done.
Responsible for Officials
The Jockey Club is at least respon-
slble for the officials. And all the sins
OF Incompetence and Indifference are
not confined to the stewards stand. IF
racing is indeed simon-pure industry
for the development of the breed of
horses it can greatly simplify its
laboratory tests by providing a starter
IN whom the public has some show of
confidence. The work of Mars Cassidy
! is lamentably unsatisfactory He has
been worse this season than ever
before
Mars Cassidy, it is said, is COM
petent starter when he is allowed to
start his fields in his own way. He
favors the "walk-up" But the jockey
Club insists on the standing start. If
the Jockey Club is going to handcuff
Its most important representa- tive, then
to 1t, instead of Cassidy, should be di-
rected the invective and abuse that
characterizes rs per cent Of the current
starts in the East. The point is made
to show the Grass Indifference of the
solons to public sentiment or public
rights.
Something must be done to rectify
ditions. Times without number post
positions are not honored.
Poilu, favorite of the last race Sat-
urday, was supposed to have the ex-
treme outside position. 1t was whis-
pered that because of the short price
this one was sent out "stiff.S The
fact that Walls snuggIed into the CEN
tre of the huddled group, where it
would be possible to cover up was a
circumstance that did not popularize
ms poor start that cost the favoritc
all hope of victory. There may have
been nothing wrong with this race, but
the public takes post positions into
its calculations when figuring the
chances of horses, and should be en-
tltled to every shade of the dope
Oasis in the Desert
All Of which makes the approaching
an oasis in the desert. At Empire City
Chris Fitzgerald will again have abso-
Lutte control. He gave US last fall the
cleanest, most wholesome meeting of
the Eastern season and proved beyond
the least shadow of doubt the great ad
'vantages Of having fearless, paid
steward in charge.
1T IS reform to which the grea-
and mighty Jockey Club must awake
in time. 1t is to be hoped the awaken
ing develops before King Horse is once
more overthrown.
Yanks eaye To.norrox,