Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-28

|pect over the prnppsed restoration Of
the C8pital Park race track. Active
opposition has developsd on the part
Of some citizens to the plan Of local
norsemen ana their associates to
reconditi0n the track, and build d
g e,s stand, fences and stables for
not as vet officiaily been taken IN
with the committee of the School
Board, who have the Capital Park
property under control, and no au-
thoritative statement OF their Official
attitude In the matter Is ascertain
able at present, 1t Is understood that
the authorities are disposed to give
both the proponents and the OPP
ponents an opportunity to present
their cases and the question OF the
tentative plans being carried out
VIII ne decided on the merits.
Il is generally understood that the
OF development as outlined by the
enthusiastic group Of local men who
have undertaken the task Of again
making this city q link In the Cir
cult Of Maine cities whose citizens
have the opportunity of enjoying
clean, fast horse racing. takes the
form OF petitions which are being cir
culated for signatures. The oNposi-
ton claims that the building of
stables on the Capital Park property
would In a measure constitute pub
Y, nuisance and menace, as such
buildings would be the rendezvous
,r tramps, who would come up from
the railroad tracks Just over the
bank an the east side Of the oval.
1t is further argued that horse
sheds or stables weula he) the breed
ing place for rats and yernin which
would infest the, neighborhp0d. NAnd
that as a gathering place for tramps,
and sbQms," that section Of the city
would be unsafefsfpr children and
women to be on the streets after
darkness. The opponents say that
with the advent of racing will come
an undesirable CLASS Of people, who
will be detrimental to the best inter-
ests Of the community. The petition
ers further believe that IL Capital
race meets, that real estate holdings
In the immediate vicinity would drop
in value.
There is considerable talk to be
heard about the city, both in support
of the undertaking of the enthusiastic
group of men who plan to restore the
track to its former glery. and against
this proposition. Many citizens are of
the opinion that the property which be-
longs to the city is worse than useless
lying idle. and that its use for racing
should be permitted. There are many
race fans and many other conservative
citizens who believe that the hQIding
of race meets in this city would be a
big boost for the business of the city
and would also he good publicity,
As the building program of the driv-
ing club is not to be undertaken until
spring, no definite indications of the
nature of the structures they intend to
place on the grounds are known. Oscar
Anderson, who is one of the leaders in
the development project, stated Tues
day that he and his associates were
firmly convinced that at the proper
time it would be found that they had
the support of the vast majority Of the
citizens in their plans, and that they
intended to proceed with their organ
ization work and would fight the
Threatened opposition.
Mr.. Anderson called attention to the
fact that the location of the horse sta
bles would be some distance away from
the nearest house. and that, further
more, there would be q responsible
watchman on duty to care for the
property from early May to Noyem-
Der, Mr.. Anderson did not believe that
the race meetings in Maine as con-
Quoted in many cities the last few
years were drawing any great num-
Der of undesirable people. hut rather
were furnishing clean amusement and
outdoor attractions for great numbers
of our citizens in all parts of the State.
Mayor Ernest l.. Mclean when in
terviewed concerning his attitude in
the matter Tuesday stated that he was
net fully informed as to the PROPOSE
ton as yet and did not care to make
any statement. He did say that the
best interests of the city should be
considered. but that both the propon-
cnts and opponents should have an OPP
portunity to present their arguments
for the decision of the citizens. Mayor
Mclean stated that he could conceive
of development of the park for rae
ing which. with proper safeguards by
responsible parties, would be an asset
to the community.
One of the group Of local horse
men interested in the reconditioning
of the track, said yesterday that
when organization of a club or as
ISOLATION of the hackers Of the pro-
ject was undertaken. it was their
intention to work in absolute unison
with the Board of Education, which
controls the property of the city,
and that a member of the schqoi
board would be one of the directors
This plan would be presented to the
board in due time.
/ A member of the board of edu-
cation stated last evening that the
property had been let for circuses,
and that when a responsible group
of Augusta citizens approached the
committee of the board having
charge of CAPITAL Park, they could
see no reason for refusing them per-
mission to use the track for racing.
Both sides in the controversy win
be given full opportunity to present
their case before this COMMITTEE.
Meanwhile the work of putting the
half mile track into condition 10 pro-
ceedipg nicely. The entire track
circuit has been nlowed aad har-
rDwed, and today IL the ground Is