The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-01-03
WAR PLANTS TO GET 4O,OOO
 RAGING FOLKS
By LEO II. PETERSEN United Press Sports EditOr)

eAAN AAieAAA OAA bAlt 0NAtCAt DAiNhCA OAS in the United States today for the first time since 1t was introduced in this country back in 1865 230 years ago.
 The country which had become the greatest horse race nation in the world gave up the sport in com- pliance with q government request that it conserve it's manpower. ma- terials and transportation needs for the war effort.
 The ban became effective at miG- night last night when the dog tracks Tn Florida closed their gates. It af- fleets harness racing, too, but none of those tracks were scheduled for operation until spring.
 How long the sport will be sus- pended no one knew. but track op- orators and owners of thoroughbreds were hopeful that the war situation would ease enough to permit re- sumption of racing by spring.
 Although there were scattered pro tests, the industry, for the most part. took its closing the most devastating blow sports has received in World War II - in a cooperative spirit. The general feeling among owners, trainers, jockeys, toutS, bookmakers, and track employees alike was that the war comes first.
 Influence
 There was a report that the gov- nors of 9 states where tracks are located would be asked by the in- dustry to meet in the near future and use their influence to lift the ban in those states which are not in the critical manpower shortage areas, but there was no confirma- tion.
 Many of the 10000 persons em- ployed by the industry were expect ed to wind up in war plants. So, too, were thousands of the nations bookmakers, but majority of the latter, United Press survey show ed, will continue to operate by mak- ing book on the two tracks in Mex leo and the one track in Havana which are operating on limited schedules.
 Tn War Manpower Commission set up a recruiting office at Tropical Park, Miami, after the close of rac- ing there yesterday and estimated that five per cent of the 2,600 em- ployes or other persons whose living depended on racing there already had applied for war plant work. Most of the 5000 persons similarly affected at fair grounds, New Or leans, expressed hope that they will be able to find jobs which will aid in the war effort.
 The WING had two officials inter- viewing the track personnel at fair grounds and Area Director Louis A. Miller predicted that great num- Der of the racing personnel there would be "salvaged."
 The wealthy horse owners were expected to keep their thorough breds at the tracks, where the strips will be available for training, until such time as racing is resumed or they ship their animals back to their home stables. For the most part, the small horse owners seemed unde- cided on their future course.
 Army Seeks StalliOns
 At Tropical 10 thoroughbredS were up for auction today and the sales were expected to continue. The Remount Service of the U. s. Army advised owners that it was seeking stallionS and would have represent ativeS at the track.
 HorSemen were advised of farms available i'll the north to quarter their thoroughbreds and prospective buyers were listed More than $25,- 900 was raised at the curtailed Trop- ical Park meeting, by adding ninth race to the regular program, to be used for the needy in the in- duStry. The Horsemens Benevolent & Protective association and other turf groups also were preparing to take care of those in need.
 The owners had green light from the Off1ce of Defense Trans. portation for facilities to ship their horses home. Director J. Monroe Johnson ruled at Washington that horse and dog owners may ship their animals anywhere in the country If they are not to be used for racing at their destination.
 Movement of racing animals to points outside the United States will require a special permit and no owners will be allowed to ship their animals for racing purposes unless the races are to be held more than 300 miles beyond U. S. borders.
 That would preclude the shipment Of any horses to Agua Caliente in just across the California border, and one of the three tracks on which bookmakers expect the U. s betting public to continue its gambling. The others are Hipo- dromo de las Americas at Mexico City and Oriental Park at Havana, Cuba.
 Racing at all three tracks is lim- tied. Havana has been operating on Thursdays, Saturday and Sum aays but may also include Tuesdays Tn It's program. Hipodromo operates also on Thursdays. Saturdays and sundays and plans mo changes" Asua Calente will operate on Sum- days and holidays and may expand that schedule. More than 300 Amer ican owned horses were reported to nave arrived at that track before the U. s. shipping ban.
 BoOkieS Busy
 The majority of the nations oookmakers, a United Press survey showed, hoped that the ploy on those tracks will keep them in busi- ness. Many of the larger bookies expected to close and vacation in California or Florida but the thousands of small ones-including cigar store owners, bartenders, bar bers and other agents-planned on continuing operations. Only a few indicated desire for war work. Many planned to supplement their take On the ponies with other sports lotteries and the numbers racket.
 Annual take of the bookmakers, who operate illegally, is expected to drop considerably from the us,Ial