Evening star., 1936-05-19
AROUSED CITIZENS
OPPOSE DOG TRACK
Will Appear Before Alexan-
dria Council Tonight to
Voice Views.
BY LESTER N. INSKEEP,
S.a6 Corresnondent of The Star,

ALEXANDRIA, Va, May l9.-Re-
lisious, educational. business and
civic bodies will appear before City
Council tonight te protest the proposed
establishment Of a greyhound race
track in this city. The meeting is
special one, set specifically to con-
slider this question.
City Council has been asked to re-
zone a piece of property on the Jef-
ferson Davis Highway. near -Four
Mile Run, for the construction of the
track and the erection OF a grand
stand and concessions stands.
The promoters insisted, when they
made their application a week ago,
that it be acted upon Immediately,
claiming that it was necessary to be-
gin work at once in order to have
racing during the Summer season.
Council, at the suggestion of Council
man H. O'Bannon Cooper, deferred
action so the people might be heard
on the question.
Storm of Opposition.
Announcement of the application
was met with a storm of opposition.
beginning with the Boards Of Directors
of the Retail Merchants Association,
the Kiwanis Club and the druggists
of the city, who claim dog racing
would not only be detrimental to the
youth of the city, but would also be
injurious to local business.
The latest action came yesterday
when the Ministerial Association, un-
der the leadership Of Rev. DR.. VIII
liam B. McIlwaine, president, held a
special meeting at which opposition
was unanimously voiced. A commit
tee composed of Dr.. McIlwaine and
Rev. DR.. Percy Foster Hall, Oldest
minister in point of service here, were
appointed to attend the meeting and
express the opposition of the union.
A resolution memorializing City
Council to deny the application on
the grounds of social, moral and
spiritual welfare" was adopted. The
Del Ray Methodist Church. one of
the nearest to the proposed track. has
circulated petition, securing the
names of more than $50 opponents.
A petition is also being circulated by
the Free Methodist Church.
Educators Opposed.
Education officials, headed by c. T
Williams, superintendent of schools,
have announced strenuous opposition
and will be represented at the meet
ing. Williams has been joined by the
Parent Teacher Associations, the
Children of the American Revolution
and other organizations interested in
schools. They point in particular to
the fact the proposed track would be
within walking distance of the new
high school and would have a de-
moralizing effect upon students.
Stiff opposition also has been en-
eountered in the Alexandria Woman's
Club the Alexandria Arlington
County w. C. T. U. and the Council
of Northern Virginia Opposed to Race
Tracks. All three are headed by
Mrs. Walter Dub. Brookings, veteran
race track fighter"
Numerous individuals, both in AL
exandria and In the portion of Ar
lington County located close to the
site of the proposed track, have an
nounced they will join the various
organizations in the fight.
The history OF dog racing tracks in
this and other States, opponents claim,
has been an unsavory one. Betting
in Virginia can be accomplished only
through bootlegging methods, and a
track at Virginia Beach last year is
claimed to have caused considerable
worry to both Princess Anne County
and the State.
Involving much smaller amounts of
money than horse race tracks, it is
asserted that the dog races cater to
those of small means. especially since
the races are held at night and are
available to persons who would be un-
able to attend horse races. They also
attract large number of women who
are employed at small salaries or are
dependent upon husbands and fathers
Of moderate means, it is claimed.