The Washington times., 1922-02-24
S10,000DA|LY
FEE FAVORED
FOR MD. TRACKS
Racing Is Asked to Provide
Funds to Maintain
County Fairs.

ANNAPOLIS. Feb. 24.-Represen-
tatives of the Maryland Association
of Agricultural Fairs, Incorporated,
yesterday urged the Senate Commit.
tee on Finance to pass the proposed
amendment to the Burke racing bill
which will change the fees to be paid
by mile race tracks from $1,000 a day
and Is per cent Of the net profits TO
straight license fee of $4,000 a
day. This, IL has been calculated,
would increase the total amount paid
yearly by the race tracks by about
SIZE 900, and the amendment provides
that 100000 Of this increase shall be
divided equally among the twelve
county fairs represented I'm the asso-
Citations. 1t was explained that none
OF this money could be used In pay
ing dividends.
Members Of the committee added
spice to the hearing by constant ef-
forts to get speakers represe nting the
fairs to say whether they thought
public sentiment would justify the
Senators TO vote to retain legalized
race-track betting, even II agricul.
ture should be benefited Most OF
the speakers sidesteppcd the ques.
ton, saying that was matter for
the Senators to determine for them
selves, that what was under consid-
GRAFTON was giving them a slice of
the proceeds II racing were permitted
to continue, as they believed IL would
be.
ICY" Cummings on Stand.
ICY" Cummings. one OF the speak
ers OF the Rockville Fair. was pic
turesque, as usual.
THE question u.s." said Cummings.
"if We do race and raise revenue the
agricultural fairs want a part OF IL.
There is revenue in racing, plenty Of
II. Don't be worried about the racing
associations; they don't need any
sympathy. They have been paying in
good sums OF money and this money
has gone to build good roads and the
preachers ride over them and thus
can save more sou. As TO the queS.
tIon or continuing raCe-traCk betting.
l promised myself and God that |
wouldn't ask amy member TO vote
Tor or against race-traCk betting or
prohibition this session, and intend
TO live up TO il. IL the rest can sand
dry country | can.
we have no race-track betting az
our fair and the farmers boys have
wonderful time. stumbling over
agricultural machinery and watch.
Ing a few old flat-footed horses 10
around the track. Our fairs need
the money for premiums, and why
worry about the fellows from Cuba,
New York. Chester and other places
who want to feed their money into
the hopper? II racing is going 10
eNist, for heavens sake pass this
bill
COnley Pleads Financial Needs.
Or. Z. ii. Conley, OF Frederick
county, received an ovation when he
shouted that We are asking this
in behalf Of the uverburdened tax.
payer who has his nose 10 the grind.
stone This came in reply 10 Sen.
atOr Harrison. who had asked Dr.
Conley If the agricultural interests
had dropped so low that they must
come to the Legislature TO beg for
money.
IF we want money, said Senator
Harrison, why not ask for "A direct
Appropriation and not to hold up a
system which great ma Jority Of
our people oppose"
We 90 TO all fairs said S"natof
Harrison, referring 10 his own bust
hess. and We do il at our own eN.
pense.'
You do il as an advertisement.
said DIR. Conley.
Not entirely" objected Mr. Har.
rison
We'll, you get good deal out o.