Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-12
PATRONS DONATE
TO AID HORSEMEN
Florida Track to Continue
Meeting Through VoIun-
tary Contributions.
0y the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, March
IA new wrinkle in financing horse
races in Florida has emerged from the
acquittal of four officials of Pompano
Horse Club, Inc, sponsors Of the
latest track to run a gauntlet of in
functions, court orders, arrests and
trial.
The wrinkle had it's inception yes
terday at Pompano track, when a race
was run off in face of a Supreme
Court ruling that the certificate sys-
TEN of wagering is gambling and in
violation of State law. Patrons made
voluntary contributions" to purses
with the understanding there was to
be no return.
Sheriff Paul c.. Bryan of Broward
County disapproved and when the
race was run after long delay, acted
on orders of Gov. John w. Martin in
arresting Paul NJ. Beacon, w. f.
Tilford and Frank Beckelheimer,
horsemen.
System Not Violation.
The matter was ironed out later at
preliminary hearing and County
Judge Fred D. Shippey released the
contribution" system was not in VIC
lation of the law. Judge Shippey held
that the club could continue it's 24-day
meeting, started on March z, and
Beacon said this would be done.
Gov. Martin, informed at Jackson
vile Of Judge Shippey's ruling, moved
on the State capitol at Tallahassee
today, determined to enforce the
law"
Swamped by letters and kilograms
asking "officia1 permission" for con-
tinuance of wagering, Gov. Martin
announced that he would act in ac-
cordance with previous avowals. ANY
gambling at Pompano track Is In
violation of a court injunction" he
declared.
Organized labor in the State, the
American Legion, a city council, and
men and women as citizens, con-
tributed "the most amazing set of
requests the governor ever has
received"
Injunction Must Wait 80 Days.
The Pompano track, which was
closed under an injunction and later
permitted to reopen by court order
only to be threatened with foreclosure
again when the Supreme Court
vacated the order and caused the
injunction to be binding, outlined its
latest method of finance in testimony
at the hearing.
The meeting was resumed, officials
said, on advices from the judge who
granted the injunction that the
Supreme Courts ruling would not be
operative for 80 days.
It was testified that persons who
desire to help the horse owners" con-
90 rv{xF
for the contribution which call atten-
ton that they are voluntary" and
no mention is made of distribution
among contributors.
When the race is finished, contribu-
lions are then turned over to owners
Of the winning horses and the owners
may keep the money or distribute II
among holders Of receipts at their
discretion.
Only One Race Run.
\ The only race run Off yesterday was
In the nature of test race, Pompano
officials told the court, adding that the
club established purse of $50. Con-
tributions amounted to $40. Patrons
testified they gave their money to
s.help the horse owners"
Horse owners, wishing to help out
the club" voluntarily contributed 81,
Vice President Beacon said, asserting
there was nothing obligatory, and that
owners could race their horses and
not contribute. The contribution was
S per cent of the amount contributed
by patrons. Approximately the same
percentage Of money wagered on races
under the pari-mutuel system accrues
TO the track.
The Pompano track may be said to
represent horse racing interests in the
matter at present, as all other horse
tracks are done with meetings for the
season. Several greyhound plants have
operated during the period of uncer-
tainty. Most of them suspended
operations when the Supreme Court
ruling was made known