Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-11
LOCAL HORSEMEN
ASK CIRCUIT DATE
Stewards Hold Open Meeting at
BelIevue-Stratford to Discuss
Trotting Situation

Fniiadelphia fs likely to get It's
nth date Of recent years in this
years Grand Circuit light harness
racing schedule, ''but," says Al Saun-
ders, secretary Of the Philadelphia Road
Drivers Association. that date Is not
going to be the 18th Of August or have
anything to do with that date. That
date was a real jinx for us last year. We
have had all we want Of 18ths of Au-
gust and we're through with It for life.
Remember the rain2 There weren't pud-
dles-the track was one long puddle"
This was the first thing the busy
local secretary told the schedule commit
tee at the start of the annual meeting
Of the stewards of the Grand Circuit at
the session which winds up tonight in a
grand banquet at the Bellevue STRAIT
ford
Philadelphia Grand Circuit meeting
locals are all ''het up" for a different
date.
The schedule for this years meets all
over the circuit will be divulged this
afternoon, when they will finally be rat
ified by the stewards In session.
Open Meeting
This morning horseowners and guests
of all sorts assembled at the Bellevue in
open meeting to talk over the situation
generally confronting the stewards for
the coming year.
After luncheon the stewards will meet
and act on the decisions Of the two COM
mittees. which held sessions all yester-
day afternoon.
The rules committee, consisting of J..
Young, Boston; ii. A. Watterson.
Cleveland, and T. w. Murphy, Pough-
keepsie, convened behind closed doors
first, and were followed by a secret ses-
Il. A. Tipton. Lexington, KY; u. w.
Swisher, Columbus. O., and 8. s..
Burtsfeld, Toledo. O., are members.
Eastern associations were all repre-
sented at the meeting yesterday. East
ern tracks generally met with unfavor-
able conditions last year, and It Is ex-
pected that there will be shifting Of
dates over these circuits.
At Belmont
The Philadelphia meeting, provided
always that a different date than the
18th Of August Is granted. will run the
meeting over the Belmont track, which
has not been sold. Mr.. Saunders said,
despite reports to the contrary.
The recommendations Of the rules
committee today will have interest to
harness racers all over the country, 1t
is expected, for those in session have as
their platform general Tightening up
Of conditions, which, it is felt, have be-
come too lax.
ALHA
now strongly opposed to taxing winners,
to final returns for 1921 will show a
reduced average of starters compared
with last year. the lowest on record.
The delegates at the meeting follow |:
Win Kenna, Cleveland; E.. W. Swisher,
Columbus J. b. Carnes, Canton; s. s.
Burtsfeld, Toledo; r. K. Biggs, Bal
timore; Ken Scott, Cleveland; Fl. A.
Waterson, Cleveland W. II. Smollinger
Chicago; FL. ID. Sheppard, Columbus
E. A. Upton, Lexington; J. j. Critch
field, Lexington; James r. Young,
Boston; ]. H. Linnehen, Boston
Mike Kelley, Louisville; Al Saunders,
Philadelphia Joshua Evans, and A.
Z. Leatherman, Philadelphia; J. II.
Cahill, Syracuse; j. III. Pilgard, Hart
ford; w. J. Landon, Hartford Frank
Phillips, Pottsville; and Robert Nc
Afee' Pittsburgh.
Walter Moore. one Of the youngest look
ing, gave credit to the outdoor health-givina
features of racing. saying that he minded
back thirty years when he entered his frst
"hoss."
Il. A. Upton. president. of the Lexington
ter" He started at fifteen years of age and
has been constantly at II for fifty years
He was the originator Of the F'uturity Stakes
for colts with purse OF $50. 600. '"rhey
said was crazy, LAUGHED the sixty -nve-
year-old veteran. "but look at the Futurity
today"
II. A. Watterson has held the watch at
Cleveland and Lexington since the inaiigura-
tion Of thoso meetings. He told many stories
about It yesterday.
William Buechley. Jr.. owner Of Lou Har-
ysstsr and an associate Judge q tss Read
present.
Othr owners of .wsll-known racers were
2:OOE and ]. C. Burnett. 2:0lk, both
PAGERS. and Frank Phillips. who has Abby
Driving Park Society. told many Interesting
tales around the round table.
Speaking Of which. Mike Kelley. in tho
role OF "chief pusher." pushed 'em in ali
directions on the table with commendable
grace.