Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-13
COMEBACK IS SEEN
FOR COMDR. ROSS
Bankrupt Canadian Horse.
man Finds Happiness in
Golf and Business.

IOSONlO, July Id (N.A.N.h.)!-
| Comcr. j. K. L. Ross, picturesque Cana
of millions, owner once of a horse which
made turf history-the flashing Sir
Barton-is on the eve of a comeback.
Upon the ruins of fortune inherited
! by Comdr. Ross, now a technical bank
rupt, another fortune is rising. Soon,
possibly within a few sweeks, the big
Canadian will win his discharge from
bankruptcy.
| But he will never go back to racing
to . duplication of that occasion when
! his orange and black silks Streamed past
the post at Churchill Downs twice In
succession. When the number went up
that day thousand eyes sought q tall,
broad-shouldered, stern jawed man
placidly pulling on a cigarette as he
contemplated his triumph.
Won First Two Ribbons.
Not only had Sir Barton won the
| multimillionaire financier, sportsman,
sailor and philanthropist the honor of
being the only Canadian to capture the
Kentucky Derby, but Billy Kelly, run
ming second. brought the commander
the distinction of being the only owner
whose stable had won the first two rib
bonS In the event.
This climax of colorful and success
1
And then, in q bare seven years, the
J. &. l.. Ross tide of fortune turned and
fell of steadily, reaching the ultimate
low level with an auction at Saratoga
Springs in August, 1927. And the
orange and black hoops appeared at the
barrier no more
Now, with his fortunes in the ascend
a sy once more, the commanders old
| love, racing has been cast of definitely
His new love Is golf. He will watch
other mems horses race. But never
again will he seek to enjoy the thrill
which was his in May, 1919.
Comdr. Ross was studying o form
chart when I found him in his sitting
room at Hamilton hotel a few days
ago: The day before he had been out
to the Hamilton race meeting This day
he was going to golf.
Only Golf and Business Now,
IT have been healthier and happier
since l gave up racing" he said, land
I'm never going back to it. Now I
play golf and attend to business"
If that is his formula for health, It
mas brought results. His face Is bronzed.
his blue eyes are keen and clear, his
huge shoulders are carried well back,
his hair, thinning q little, is streaked
with gray. The tremendous force and
V!gor evident in his manner and con-
verSatlon suggest man much younger
than his 81 years.
Comdr. Ross may have turned his
back on racing, but memories of his
successes are probably still his most
priced possession. His eagerness to talk
OF past victories betrayed his passion
for the sport.
What was the high spot of your
career?" he was asked. Was it when
Sir Barton was matched with Man O.
War at Kenilworth?"
Declares Kentucky Derby High Spot.
mo. that wasn't very important 1t
was that Kentucky Derby and the days
that followed"
Even II years later Comdr. Ross
seemed filled with the excitement of
the race.
Sir Barton did then what no other
horse had ever done or has done since, A"
ne said proudly. He not only won the
Derby that Saturday, but the Wednes-
day following he won the Preakness
and after that the Withers and the
Belmont No other horse has ever won
those four the same season"
Was the loss of your fortune the re-
suit OF your racing?'
I never lost any money racing"
Comdr. Ross protested.
1t has been estimated, however, that
ne spent more than a million dollars on
ms breeding stables, Vercheres, near
montreal, and Laurel Park, Md
oddad never lost any money at ALL" he
than that he would not 20. Who had
scattered his fortune, if he had not, he
would not tell, but he indicated that
certain actions would be brought before
the courts soon, and that as he would
nave to testify then he could say MOTH
ing at present.
Ihe court proceedings to which he
Ie1erred may have a connection with
the EFFORTS Of the Quebec government,
psgun IL years after the death of the
commanders father, to collect further
succession and estate duties over and
ABOVE the 100000 paid to the gov
eminent on James Ross death.
one ana quarter million dollars
were recently recovered by the trustees
| OF the estate in an action In New York
courts for the abrogation of a trust
tuno established by the commander for
ms wlfe In 1915. This amount he saws
WIZ not be necessary to satisfy the last
Believes He Is Solvent Now.
don't think will be bankr1,pt
long" he remarked. Technically an,
bankrupt, but think that actually i
all Solvent.
AS a bankrupt. Comdr. Ross could
not continue any of the directorships
micn ne neld, nor could he retain
membership in his English clubs
But have not been in discomfort
he said. II have not been down and
out" He laughed at the thought. II
get along well. am perfectly con-
tented. Things have been troublesome
Tor time, but haven't worried and I
am not worrying"
Comdr. Ross may return as master
OF the huge Peel street mansion. in
montreal, built by his father at a cost
OF $1S0,OOO, and improved by the son
at further great expense. The house
remains among the assets of the estate
The commander preferred not to dis
cuss the recent granting of a divorce to
MRS. Ross. formerly Ethel Adine Mat
news OF Toronto. They were married
IN !sO2 and their children, James Ken
neth Matthews and Hylda Anee Nav.
are both married.
Generosity Increased DifficuIt;e.-
Probably one of the chief reasons for
Mr.. Ross financial difficulties was his
generosity. It was estimated In 1927
that he had spent 1880, 900 on horses.
but to the public he has given q good
deal more than two million. When war
broke out, one year after he had come
into possession of a $14,0O0,O0O estate.
Comdr. Ross gave 100000 to his gov
eminent. In addition, he lent his ia
theirs two yachts, QUILTED and main
tanned them and commanded one of
them on the Atlantic patrol service.
With his wife he lent and equipped
Cromarty, his Summer home in sgd
ney Nova Scotia, as a war hospital.
He had been educated at Bishops
College School, Lennoxville, and when
a rebuilding program called for money
he was on the spot with 100000.