N. J. Rulers Make Horse Race Legal With Local Option

Camden Courier-Post - June 21, 1933

Trenton, June 20. — Revival of running-horse racing in New Jersey was authorized tonight.

By a vote of 11 to 1, the Senate approved the bill sponsored by Assemblyman Anthony Siracusa, of Atlantic, which had been passed by the lower house March 13.

It creates a state racing commission of three members to be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The expense of the commission, which would regulate and license horse races, is not to exceed $5000 a year and would be paid by racing and steeplechase corporations owning or operating tracks.

The measure was amended by the Senate requiring county referendums before races can be authorized.

Atlantic County has been leading the fight for horse racing and action on the bill tonight, after it lay in the miscellaneous business committee the morgue — since March 15, was hailed as a victory for Senate President Emerson L. Richards, of Atlantic.

Doesn't Legalize Gambling

It was brought out for a vote by Senator Albert S. Woodruff, of Camden, after Richards turned over the chair to him. The amendment then was made on motion of Richards who was the only one to speak for it.

He declared that many nearby states which permit horse racing obtain substantial revenues from this source and that New Jersey should reap similar benefits. He insisted the measure does not legalize gambling, which is prohibited by the state constitution.

Beer Still In Doubt

Senator Edward P. Stout, Hudson Democrat, in a sarcastic reference to the political deals of the session, said:

"If the Atlantic county Senator is through with horse trading, we should have horse racing."

Horace G. Prall, Hunterdon Re publican, cast the only negative vote. Affirmative were Woodruff, Barber, Cole, Durand, Ely, Kusel, Loizeaux, Quinn, Richards, Stout and Young. Not voting were Leap, Loder, Powell, Read, Albright, Barbour and Reeves.

No action was taken on a companion measure by Assemblyman Joseph Altman of Atlantic which would eliminate the anti-gambling amendment to the state constitution which was adopted in 1897. The Altman bill passed the Assembly March 13.

That permanent beer legislation remained in doubt tonight, with the state beverage commission unable to agree on the bill sponsored by Richards, its chairman.

Senate Falls to Act

The Senate failed, to act on the bill by Assemblyman F. Stanley Bleakly, of Camden, which was adopted last night by the lower house. It would supplement the present temporary law and permit municipalities to approve Sunday sales and sales over bars, with a provision that five percent of the voters could demand a referendum on the question. Assemblyman Thomas M. Muir, of Union, sponsor of the present law, introduced In the House another supplement to continue the present law to September 1.

His bill would permit bars and also authorize Sunday sales after 2 p. m., unless or until the local governing bodies prohibited It by resolution.

An added fee of $50 from manufacturers and distributors would be collected and municipalities would be permitted to assess additional fees for retail licenses to September 1. The present law is effective until July 1. Bleakly will move to have the supplement made effective to January 1. Muir said no action would be taken in the Assembly on this measure until tomorrow.

The Assembly will meet again at 11 a. m. and the Senate at noon. Leaders hope to be able to recess late tomorrow night until Fall.

Bridge Bill Dormant

Before adjourning for its "fun" session tonight, the Assembly adopted a resolution by Dr. Marcus, W. Newcomb, of Burlington, at the request of the attorney general's office,calling on the United States secretary of agriculture to reject the proposed Philadelphia milk-shed agreement, declaring it was in conflict with the New Jersey milk control law.

The Assembly laid over Senator Woodruff's bill to allow the state to accept bonds of Camden Bridge in lieu of cash for the $12,000,000 owed the state for the purchase of the bridge. Assemblyman Joseph Greenberg, of Hudson, insisted that it should contain some guarantee to the state against loss of the total payment through sale of the bonds. Bleakly said the bonds would be sold at least at par and that there was nothing in the bill to require New Jersey to accept them at a loss.

A new bill by Senator Edward P. Stout, of Hudson, was adopted by the Senate allowing counties and municipalities to negotiate with the federal government for aid from the federal public works fund.

The Senate adopted the following other bills:

A-515 — Rafferty — Requires referenda in boroughs and townships before governing bodies may abolish the election of assessors.

S-422 — Reeves-- Provides for payment into state treasury of money collected in tines from overloaded trucks crossing interstate bridges.

S-309 — Leap — Requires licenses to be obtained from State Department of Health by shippers sending milk into New Jersey.

S-21 — Barbour — Gives owners of manufacturing space liens upon machinery for unpaid rent.

S-3811 — Loizeaux — Appropriates $30,000 for final payment of state soldiers' bonus.

S-395 — Read — Gives harbor masters police powers to enforce state laws against vessels using inland water ways.

S-344 — Young (committee substitute) — Extends time within which railroad and canal companies may appeal from 1932 tax assessments.

S-272 — Powell — Allows police of a volunteer fire company to act in all parts of county where appointed.

S-209 — Woodruff — Authorizes registration of lodge emblems to prevent their being worn by unauthorized persons.