Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-19
|Pim|ico CLOSING
lin Doubt After
Strong Protests
Bowie Leeds Attack
On Plan; Commission
Holds Off Decision
By JOSEPH b. KELLY
Star Racing Editor

bALI1MORE, FeD. l9.-Ptm-
lico was no closer to shutting its
doors today after yesterdays
stormy hearing before the Mary
land Racing Commission in
which Donald c. Lillis, Bowie
president, delayed an apparent
approval of the 80-days-at-
Laurel plan by strongly oppos-
ing the move.
1t is unlikely now that the
commission will make a decision
on the plan which would see
Pimlico abandoned in favor of
Laurel, until tomorrow or Thurs
day.
The three-man racing COM
mission is far from agreeing on
the adjustment of Pimlico and
1t is definitely not a foregone
conclusion that the move will be
recommended. an authoritative
source disclosed today.
Wants Equal Dates
Lillis threatened to quit his
operation at Bowie. If the plan
was approved. saying:
This is a step toward mo-
nopoly. And a merger, no mat
ter what it's called. would shove
Bowie into the background and
it couldn't stand the gaff."
Lillis added that he would no
longer be interested in remain
ing in Maryland racing unless
Bowie remains a flrst-class
track"
LilliS also told the commission
that if the proposal to close
Pimlico did pass. Bowie should
be entitled to equal dates. that
is so days for each track, split
ting the 100 days.
Also opposing the plan was
Janon Fisher. jr.. an owner and
trainer representing the Mary
land breeders and a former d.
rector Of Pimlico when Alfred
Vanderbilt owned the Maryland
Jockey Club.
Fisher argued that it was fool
ish to consider shutting down
Pimlico. landmark of racing,
when the track consistently re-
corded the highest betting figures
in the State. He said that the
figures proved that Pimlico drew
more fans and handled more
betting than the two other mile
tracks.
John A. Manfuso, national adj
visor to the Horsemen's Benev-
olent and Protective Association.
told the commission his group
sided with Lillis in insisting that
if Pimlico be closed the two re-
naming mile tracks share the
days euqally.
State Senator Anthony F. Di
Domenico Of Baltimore protested
vigorously any closing Of Pimlico
which has been in existence
since 1870.
II the plan is approved by the
commission it will have togo
before the Maryland Legislature
which in l949 rejected an out
right merger of the two tracks.
This time. the proposal is that
each management retain its
identity in name and operate
strictly separate meetings at
Laurel.
Battle in Prospect
The plan is a practical recog-
milton of certain economic fac
tors resulting from increasingly
keen competitive conditions in
Ineighboring States" Laurel and
Pimlico stated in a letter to the
commission.
Jacob Hartman, counsel for
Pimlico. anticipated some hue
and cry that closing Pimlico
violates tradition" He argued
that "the relics of a Victorian
era must yield to the firm real
tiles Of life."
However. Bowie's strong de-
nunciation OF the plan indicates
that a battle would develop in
the State Legislature even If the
commission approves the pro-
posal.
D. Eldred Rinehart, chairman
Of the commission, criticized the
use of the word merger" in the
press regarding the proposal and
also said that the press was over
hasty in implying that the plan
had the sanction Of the commits
sion.
Last Saturday. Rinehart told
the press at Bowie that he
thought two long meets at Laurel,
with the Preakness as the cli-
max Of 40-day spring meet and
See MERGER, Page Ca