The Cleveland News is sponsoring "Buy a Bomber for General MacArthur" and among the contributors to the fund we note the name of Mrs. W. P. Murray with $1,000. She is the widow of the late W. P. Murray, one of the most ardent fanciers of the sport in his day, and one who never found fault with the performances of his horses in their work or races. Regardless of what disappointed showings they made, he never gave his drivers an opportunity to fender an excuse. Mr. Murray always having one for his horse, both the latter and the driver being in no sense responsible. He unfortunately had very few " real horses." and only on rare occasions bought one, he preferring to breed from a line which marked his first entry into the sport. He took great pride in the fact that he first entered Cleveland on the back of a mare which represented his sole earthly possessions other than what he had tied on his saddle. He became wealthy and was extremely liberal with those he liked and who knew his peculiarities; becoming vexed if an individual in ordinary circumstances would do him a kindly turn and refuse to accept a token of his appreciation.
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These 1940s issues have constant reminders of WW II, in progress.
Multiple tracks were awarding drivers with Defense Bonds, while other facilties were closed as a result of the war. Many horsemen failed to enter their horses as a result of gas-rationing.
FWIW, I've a 1940s local middle school article where the kids raised money for one of those on-seat spotter planes, and then did some of the construction at the school, before the plane was shipped for final assembly.
