Evening star., 1923-07-22
RACING AND LIQUOR
MARYLAND ISSUES
Republican Leaders Are Said
to Be Considering Stand
Against Track Tax.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
BALTIMORE, Md, July 21.-From
present indications 1t looks as II
racing and the prohibition question
would be two of the big issues in
the gubernatorial campaign, now
getting under way.
Republican leaders are reported TO
be considering the advisability OF
stand against the licensing and tax
ing of the tracks by the state. AS
the democratic administration, which
seeks continuance, favors the pres
ent policy of licensing, taxation ana
regulation through state commits
sion. clear issue. 1t Is pointed OUT
In some parts of the state the
more vigorous Of the church people
are said to pay even greater atten-
ton to the rack track question than
to the question of prohibition en-
forcement.
There is pronounced feeling
the partnership" of the state there
In, 1t is said: This feeling IS ao-
the legislative session. The defeat
Of the. state prohibition enforcement
bill and of the so-called anti
gambling bill furnished two of the
Dlss6St HSnL Oh the 1851 4Ss siS4dloi G.
Eject of Declaration.
It is argued that a declaration by
alexander Armstrong, republican
gubernatoriaf candidate, against the
present system Of licensing and state
supery! sion would have the effect of
lining zip in his favor many church
people and that such people. even If
Mr. Armstrong declares himself not
in favor Of the strictest prohibition
enforcement. would be. inclined TO
vote for him for being right" on
Gov. Ritchie would" be considered
wrong" on both questions.
By opposing race track betting MI;
Armstrong, it is maintained, could
and by being reasonably" wet he
could retain many votes in the city
that would not support dry candi-
date, whatever his party.
Mr.. Armstrong has not announced
| his attitude on either racing or pro-
has definite views on these questions
which he will enunciate at the
| proper time"
Racing in this state Is conducted
| under the Burke law. passed in 1920
This law establishes state racing
commission. 1t provides that each OF
| the four one-mile tracks shall pas
for each day of racing fee OF
1 So,Ucu, ana tndt, III dooltloIls cdcH
track shall pay to the state tax
| amounting to l5 per cent of its net
! earnings.
| AS racing Is down in the state
| budget as a revenue producer to the
| extent of s712,000 a year. the can
| didate who declares in favor of di-
| voroing state and track, the politi-
| clans say, will have to devise a plan
/ for providing compensation revenue
from another source, or will have to
4 reduce the states budget by that
| amount.
VIII Quit Chairmanship.
| DR.. ]. Hubert Wade has announced
| that he would resign as chairman OF
| the democratic state central commit
| tee following a conference Thursday
| county, who has been agreed upon
| by democratic leaders as his sue.
l cessor. August / was set as the date
for the meeting of the committee, DR.
| Wade stated. .
The appointment of Mr. Ray a:
/ temporary chairman until the state
democratic convention takes actor
meeting. His election as permanent
chairman will take place at this con.
| vention, 1t Is believed.
1 The present chairman intimatet
1 that he was thinking strongly of be-
coming a candidate for the state sen.
ate from Washington. He has MOI
definitely announced his candidacy as
yet, however.
The resignation of DR.. Wade anc
the succession of Mr.. Ray will come
about as near completely harmon.
| izing all elements in the party fol
the Ritohie candidacy as anything
could, 1t is claimed.