New Britain herald., 1930-02-13
HORSE RACING ID STAY IN FLORIDA
Legislature May LeSaliZe Pari-
 MutueI Betting System


 Horse racing, sponsored by the right people" has come 10 stay in Florida, despite the existence Of a sharp and state wide conflict on the subject over q period ot years. This is the opinion Of those well inform cd on the political as well as com mcrcial aspects of the situation. AS q direct result, the passage is fore ] cast Of state legislation 10 lcgaliz@ the pari mutucl system Of betting al the Florida tracks. perhaps in time 1 for the 1851 season. certainly by i l9$g.
 Several factors. in addition 10 q belief that this will Dc better husl- ness" for Florida, appears 10 have ! brought about some change in senu- ment, at least along the east coast. 1 Chief among these factors has been tho successful operation of the Hia- ] leah track at Miami under the dircc- ton Of group of wealthy New York and Philadelphia sportsmcn, headed by Joseph F. Widener,
 Political leaders in Duval county Of which Jacksonville is the center. regard Mir. Widener and his asso- ciatcs as the right people. Further, they are interested in the proposal for the purchase of Kccney park, To- catcd some 70 miles from Jackson vile and operation Of d 1 , day meet ing there, starting March 10, 10 fill the gap between the close of Hialoah and the opening Of the Maryland spring season at Bowie. Today, Jack sonvile business men were to confer 1 with representatives of William V. Dwycr. New York sportsman. who heads interests holding an option for the purchase Of kconoy park for a price understood 10 be around . rlIu. 0Uu.
 Hialcah has been operating under 1 the go-called "cnvelopc" or "oraN aystCm of wagering. the galuC as that rmnloycd on the New York tracks. This has been done apparently, by common consent, in spite Of tn" anti cambling statutes now in existence. The feeling, as a result has grown that Florida may as well reap some Of the financial harvest by establish ing inc nari mutuols as operated in ! Maryland and Kentucky.
 This feeling is not considered state wide by any means. Opposition against any and all legislation 10 lcCalze race track gambling has 1 been and still is regarded as very strong Significance. nevertheless. was attached today to tn" statement Of State Senator Edgar W. Way bright. representing the Duval coUn- ty district, that he expected 10 SC" proper legislation" introduced 10 permit local or district referendum on the horse racing issue: in other words. legalizing of pari mutuel. Senator Waybright vas q leader of opposition in the last legislature 10 1 the so-Called option bill, legalizing | the machines, Ii failed by three votes ! 10 pass in the senate, although in ef- 1 feet having d majority Of one vote i based upon the ballot cast on an amendment.
 Senator Waybright made if clear his support Of any legislation design od 10 put tho mutuols in operation Gopcudcd o0 racing having lh" sup port Of "ihr proper pooplc and hJsj- rrss men Of the communities dosir- mG 70 establish the sport
 Moro sweeping, in their relation Co sports in Florida, arc the pro- poeWs Of Representative r. $. G'aN . Kelly or Jacksonville, avoWcd advo- cato Of l"@altzod betting. He declared today for state wide control Of "all sporrs operated for commercial pur- po.'s' including boxing. wrestling and baseball as well as horse racing and dog racing. emphasizing 'hc ad- }.Hta-e- Of revenue as well as rcgu- .aiou tI. ra,ors legislation giving county option.
 I0lDss c"ll-d tocuthor bv special ewH. oug Of the governor. tho log7- eurc Nill not meet again uutil la%l to settle Inc controversy 'rhich has stirred I'orlda Tn its development ae g 'ucN u"ossIra srorie rsu,"r Ncau- while tn" opponents and proponents oi corumcrrjalism in general lcgaliz- .lug gambling in particular. are iorE'ylu- for positions.