Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-08-17
LOCALIZED RACING
IN D, c, OPPOSED
BY POLICE HEAD
Mai. Brown Says 1t Would
Cause Congestion and Add
to Traffic Problems.
CHURCH FEDERATION
GROUP ALSO OBJECTS
Society of Friends, Through
Charles M. Pidgeon, Is "Un-
alterably' Opposed.
BY ]. A. OLEARY.

BY J. A. OLEARY.
legalizing of horse racing in Wash
lngton was opposed by Maj. Ernest
w. Brown, superintendent of police,
rs a Senate subcommittee completed
hearings today on the bill to allow
horse racing in the District under
the pari-mutuel system.
Senator Capper, Republican, of
Kansas, also placed in the record
letter from Wilbur La Roe, jr., of the
Civic Affairs Committee of the Wash
lngton Federation of Churches against
the bill.
Senator Reynolds. Democrat of
North Carolina, head of the subcom-
|nittee, forecast an unfavorable re-
port. He said Senator Tydings, Demo-
crat, Of Maryland the third member,
Is not for the measure. With Capper
blso opposed. Reynolds said he prob
hbly would file minority report. He
Expressed the belief the decision would
be close in the full committee. but if
Congress adjourns this week there is
hot likely to be another meeting of
The entire District Committee until
hext session.
Would Increase Congestion.
Brown said he is against the bill
because it would add to the problems
of the Police Department. Pointing
put that the District is limited
hrea in size with growing population
of 100000, the police chief declared
race track would increase the con-
Hestion.
The police chief said that while a
race track would bring a good class
of people, it also would attract an
undesirable element to the city. Dis
cusslng possible re-establishment of
the track at Benning, Brown observed
that there is only one main artery to
that section-Benning road-and that
the result would be a new traffic
problem.
I'VE have always had gambling and
suppose we always will" the major
continued. But, while some say
rack track would do away with
bookmaking, I know it will not be-
cause the track would operate only
part OF the time. Those who want
TO see the races have tracks near
Washington now. From a police and
traffic standpoint, we oppose the bill"
When Senator Reynolds referred
70 testimony yesterday to the effect
that police reports showed less crime
prior to the closing of the local race
track in 1908, Maj Brown said he
assumed the police statistics we're less
hen than now because the population
pr the city has nearly doubled. Like
Every other city, Washington has
had an increase in crime during the
recent depression years, Brown added.
Takes Issue With Brown.
w. C. Murphy, representing the
Central Labor Union in support of
The bill, took issue with Brown, con-
bending conditions here were not as
bad when race track was in opera
bon.
Maj. Brown recalled that Maj. Syl-
Fester, who was then chief of police,
used to issue special orders to the
police during racing meets. From the
Police Department report for 1903 he
quoted Sylvester as directing the force
10 be on the lookout for criminal and
hobo classes that usually visit Wash
lngton during racing season."
Charles M. Pidgeon of the Society
pf Friends went on record as "un-
hlterably opposed to horse racing"
being established here
Mrs. Ernest Howard, jr., chairman
bf the Police and Fire Committee of
the District Federation of Women's
Clubs, said Mrs. Lloyd Biddle pres
dent, requested her to advise the sub
fommittee that organization has not
hcted on the racing bill, but plans to
lake it up at the October meeting.
La Roe's letter said any statement
that Washington wants racing re-
Established is wrong.
Testifies to Betting.
1t was testified yesterday that wagers
pm horse races can be placed in any
Government department.
John Paul Jones, an attorney and
vice president of the District of Co.
lumbia Federation of Business Men,
appearing at the request of the
Georgetown Business Mems Associa-
ton, urging adoption of the bill, said:
There is not a Government de-
partment you can go into where you
can't place bet if you want to. Now
don't think you can beat the races,
bnd I'm not arguing in favor of bet
ting on them. But it's going on, all
pver Washington, and by legalizing a
race track we can put the bookmakers
but of business"
A race track for the District was
opposed bitterly by representatives Of
several large religious groups and
Others.
Favoring the legislation, Mrs. Mar
|garet Hopkins Worrell, president OF
the Columbia Heights Citizens Asso-
citation, declared 1t would help the
|burdened taxpayers of the District by
producing large added revenue.
The gamblers are here anyway,
she added. You can't get rid OF
LllClu. uOI1 Gay ala 1OVcII lllcLl
|employes play the races. but certainly
q great many do"
Local churchmen opposing the leg
islation included Rev. Ralph D. Smith
of the United Methodist Group OF
Washington, Rev. Horace E. Cromer
of the Washington Federation OF
Churches, and Rev. Justin Smith
Methodist pastor. The bill also was
Opposed by Evan H. Tucker repre-.
senting the Northeast Washington
Citizens Association.
If we in Washington" said Rev
Justin Smith, break down on great
moral issues, we can't expect other
cities to hold up their standards"
Tucker, pointing out that the Capt.
tai was a literary, historic and art
center, added:
There are plenty of things to bring
people here without making our city
the Monte Carlo Of the United States.