The Washington times., 1935-03-29

. SSSS SSASSS9
&@'<&@ .,rs M,,,S. has increased
steadily in this country as the
years roll by. Americans are
quick to take a gamble. For a
comparatively insignificant out
lay, there is chance-a 1ery
remote, outside chance--of win
ming as much as $150,oOo # the
gods of fortune are running
with you.
Downward, from that amount
Q very lucky ticket purchaser
can win as much as $4,000 If his
horse is drawn in the lottery,
whether or not the horse even
starts.
Overnight Riches
It's like grasping at a straw
in mid-Atlantic to buy one OF
those highly-embossed coupons
which are peddled in Washing
ton and every section Of Amer
lea for months before the
Grand National, the 1885 edi-
ton of which occurred at
Aintree at 1920 this morning
washington time.)
People have been projected
from penury, poverty and priva-
ton in a trice by the whims
Of Lady Luck. Bootblacks, jan
itors, street-sweepers and mil
lionaires alike have been struck
by the lightning of overnight
riches as result of a lucky
draw in the biggest and most
fabulous of lotteries in the his
tory of gambling. There have
been. Joy and tragedy in equal
proportions produced as the
result of such sudden wealth.
Those who could stand the gaff
and pressure of quick afflu-
ence, whose heads were not
turned, who were strong
enough to rebuff the gold-brick
statesmen and the scores OF
gilt-edge investment opportuni-
ties, have been made happy
and contented by their good
fortune.
Misery Often Results
But these are in the minor
ity. Divorce, insanity, broken-up
families, jealousy, envy. yes
and hate, have been bred by
large winnings in the great
English lottery. proof aplenty
of the old adage about wealth
not always bringing happiness.
Very recently I read a maga-
zine story tracing down some
of the people who had won big
purses in sweepstakes. The
minority we're able to- keep
their heads and go on about
their daily routines. Many had
gone for what are commonly
known as sucker schemes"
Others went off on money
spending sprees and one young
lady had been committed to
an insane asylum because OF a
nervous breakdown brought on
by the concerted drive OF brok'
ers and investors and high
pressure statesmen to separate
her from her new-found wealth.
Some of the Odds
I want to recite TO you some
of the terrific odds a ticket
holder must overcome, even
after he draws a horse that is
entered, In the first place that
horse must run before the suo-
scriber is eligible for more than
about $4,000. To get as mucn
as $4,000 the horse must finish
second and third to hit $4,000.
A ticket on the winner, such as
Reynoldstown today, brought
the holders $150.000 each.
Back in 1928. AZ horses ac'
cepted the challenge, but only
two finished. Of these, the
famous jumper, Billy Barton,
fell on the last jump while
running neck and neck with
Tipperary Tim who won at
100 to /. Billy Barton was re-
mounted to finish second. Such
are the dangers and risks on
which your 50 is riding after
you have once drawn a horse
that starts.
One year a jockey walked ovel
the course and stuck tiny flags
at the jumps easiest to negotiate
Another jockey had spied on
him and reset the flags at the
most difficult leaps, upsettine
the well-laid plans Of the schem
ing fellow.
Severest Of Tests
The Grand National is the
most severe test in horseflest
history. The course is 4 miles
S56 yards in length. and there
Is one turn which involves ar
angle of more than IS degrees
There have been but six repeat
ers, and there seems to be nc
lirnit in age for the successful
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