The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-07-27
BY JACK CUDDY


 United Press Staff Correspondent
 Chicago, July 27-(UP)-A boy had just brought in the sizzling chickens on the flaming swords in the ambassadors swanky pump room when Maj. Ednyfed H. Will Hams said, right now I am more interested in men-jockeys-than in horses.
 Major Williams is a reserve offi- cer and chairman of the Illinois racing board.
 Down through the years much has been said about improving the breed of horses in racing" he said. But little has been done for the welfare of jockeys-the key men in the sport. Well, I'm concentrating on improving the conditions, at least under which jockeys work"
 No one calls Chairman Williams "Ednyfed" because hardly anyone knows how to pronounce that old country Welsh name. They just call him Ed. Because hes that kind of a fellow-despite his army and com mission titles, and despite the fact that he is one of Chicago's most prominent attorneys.
 Ed Williams is a small man with a big mind, chap who can forget that he came up the hard way Born in the coal mining town of Bethesda, Wales, he was taken to a Minnesota farm at the age of four A kid who never liked the good earth except when he and his brothers were racing their horses back from blowing, he hit out for the hostile cities and carved out an education. That's little Ed Williams, middle aged now with a preponder- ance of white in his heavy skull thatch.
 We expected the racing commis- sioner to talk of Shut Out and his dramatic victory in Saturdays Ar lington classic, that clinched the three-year-old crown. But he never mentioned Shut Out. He talked only of jockeys and of "gypsy" horsemen
 Williams as chairman of the Ill. inois racing board, has one of the most important racing posts in tht country. But 1t is post that gives only prestige to the man who oc- cupies 1t, because it pays neither salary TOT expenses. He was made chairman last year. But he was ap ter what he does, "they can't toss pointed on a six-year basis. No mat. me out" he saws.
 Because of this feeling of inde' pendence and because he loves an6 knows horse racing, he accepted thu job and started his reforms.
 "The key men in racing are tht | jockeys" little Ed explained. "Re. gardless of the abilities of the horses unless they are ridden properly they won't win. Racing fans expect jock. eys to be honest, and usually they ! are. They're honest because of theil love of the sport, rather than be. cause of anything racing has dont i for them"
 Exceptional jockeys make a To of money-boys like Meade, Arcaro etc. But most of them don't. Wher took office many of the riders were making only $10 or $15 week They were desperate for money II a sport that offers a multitude O opportunities for dishonesty. triet to help them and will' continue t' do so."
 When williams took over, jockey in Illinois were getting $25 for winning ride, and $10 for finishinl any place else. He changed that Now the winning rider receives $35 the place rider gets $25 and tn show jockey $15. The others receiv | $10.
 He forced the tracks to pay fo the jocks laundry-no small tten when a busy rider has to chang his silks for every race. He make the tracks provide insurance for tn boys in their hazardous calling where a stumble in the stretch us ually means death or permanent in jury.
 I'm gunning now for thos men called agents" he continued "All jockeys have agents who talk 10 per cent of their pay for eacl race. Agents are not necessary They're unneeded middle men wh deprive the boys of 8 portion c their earnings. I'll abolish them. assure you, within the next year c so."
 | Another racing class that thl crusading commissioner is trying { relieve is the gypsy" horse owner the small-timer who owns only on or two horses and usually is afrai to enter them in races because tn big stables send so much class { the post that they have little chanC of winning. Hence paying the entr fee Is like throwing away the ut ] tie money they have.