The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-20
(Reg. U. s. Pat. OR.)
 By JACK CUDDY United Press Staff CorrespOndent)

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 New York, Feb. 2O-(UP)-It seems to us that the midnight cur few on entertainment, which goes into effect nationally on Monday will help boom sports generally.
 However, the war-momentum that makes necessary this request" from Mobilizer James F. ByrneS appar- ently spikes any lingering hopes that racing can be re-opened in the spring.
 The only sports enterprises, now carrying on, that would seem to suffer from the curfeW are bowling and billiard establishments. Their activities will be forced to cease at midnight.
 Betting on sports probably will be increased considerably.
 Sports like baseball, football, box ing, wrestling and hockey-most ot which already are enjoying wartime proSperity-should boom under the new restriction for two reasons: CD Fans who normally blow" a portion of their spending money in the late spots, like night clubs and saloons, should have more available now fo1 sports; and (2) Persons who are de- nied late entertainment may turn tc sports for diversion.
 Although there is little similarity between the curfeW and prohibition. which was supposed to prevail in the United States from 1920 to 1883, it is recalled that the golden decade of sports came during that dry" period Speakeasies flourished dur ing that decade; but nevertheless 1t was much more difficult for the ordinary fan to blow his dough in the joints" than it has been since repeal. The plentitude of money available for sports in those days was just as important in causing the golden decade" as were the great performers who featured it - Jack Dempsey, Babe Ruth, Bobby Jones, Bill Tilden, Earl Sande, etc.
 Before yesterdays announcement of the curfew, hope had been in- creasing among racing men that the Christmas-eve ban might be lifted by spring, permitting the hosses to go to their golden gallop again. But the war situation necessitating the curfew seems to blast that hope definitely.
 It is true that the curfeW was re- quested primarily as a means of say ing fuel because of the coal short age; but Byrnes said he believes it also would help conserve trans portation and manpower. He said he was convinced that the public will gladly accept the curfeW fin view of the fact that in the period just ahead of us. those in the armed services will be making greater sacrifices than ever last week, after returning from the Crimea confer ence, Byrnes said that more men will be in combat during March than ever before. These statements, combined with the drastic curfeW measure, leave little hope of re- opening the tracks until the Euro pean war is ended, at least. Be- cause, apparently, the momentum of war will be constantly stepped up until that goal is achieved.
 Betting has increased tremen- dously during the past 10 years, and particularly during the war. It seems certain that much money which ordinarily would be spent in the late spots, will be diverted now into betting channels, booming the bookie business throughout the country. Although the horse plants are closed, the public is wagering actively on other sports. Baseball | will get terrific betting play wher the season opens.
 We know of no reason why mid night closing should curtail night | baseball. boxing, etc. Rarely have regularly-scheduled night games lasted past midnight; and profess sional boxing shows never do.