The New York herald., 1879-08-27
THE ASHLEY BELT.

The ASHLEY BELL.
Mr.. VANDERBILT DETERMINED TO PREVENT THE
WALK IN THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN THE
LEssEEs CONFIDENT THAT HE CANNOT INTER
FERE
There is every prospect Of a rich harvest for the
lawyers in the coming fight between the Harlem
Railroad Company and Messrs. Dodworth. Bottsford
and Kuntz. the lessees of the Madison Square
Garden. Both sides hang out their banners
the outward walls and declare war to the
bitter end. Mr. Bottsford says the walk tor
the Ashley belt will take place in the Madison Square
Garden during the week commencing Monday, Sep
tember %. and Mr. G. Vanderbilt vice president of
the Harlem Railroad Company reterates most posi-
lively that it will not take place. The trouble will
probably not begin until shortly before the day
fixed for the commencement of the contest, so that
there may not be much time for hearing N the
courts and up to the present the plan Of action de-
termined upon by the Harlem Railroad people has
not been divitlged.
The lessees do not seem to be much troubled by
the nat that has gone forth the Grand Central
Depot and quietly continue their preparations in
the confidence that they have the law their side
They attribute all the trouble to the fact that
bal promise was made by Mr.. Vanderbilt to Messrs
Kelly Bliss and O'Leary that pedestrian per-
formances would be given in the Gar
den before it into their hands in
October. Mr.. Vanderbilt is trying
to keep his promise to Mr.. Kelly; but they do not
see why they should suffer account of any
arrangement not expressly mentioned in their
lease. They claim that they have fulfilled to the
letter the many conditions mentioned in the lease
some of which have caused them much additional
expense, and that they intend to keep their
tract with Mr.. Hess and give him seventy-ive per
cent of the gross receipts for the services OF hs
company of pedestrians.
A VISIT TO GRAND CENTRAL DEPOT.
HERALD representative paid a visit yesterday to
the Grand Central Depot and had talk with the
He appeared astonished when told that the Garden
folks had publicly given out that they did not expect
Railroad Company. 'In fact, we have repeatedly
told them," said this gentleman "that under no
consideration could we permit them to use the
Garden for pedestrian contest" Mr.. Skit, the
gentleman who has represented the Harlem Railroad
Company at the Garden tor some time past. was
present when the reporter called and the following
conversation ensued:-
II was given to understand by Messrs. Bottsford,
Kuntz and Hess that ut meeting in the st. Denis
Hotel on Sunday last you had given them to under
stand that Mr.. Vanderbilt would permit the pro-
posed walk for the Ashley Belt"
Il can simply say that have never told them any
such thing, and went to the trouble OF finding
Mr.. Hess. wnen 1 heard he was making arrange
would be made. Last night ! told them again that
the Harlem Railroad Company would take means at
'ls there possibility Of compromised"
81 do not think there is will let you see copy
Of the letter sent by Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt vice
president of the Harlem Railroad Company, couple
Of months ago"
Mr.. Skit produced the letter book and showed the
following:-
Mr. O. H. DopwoRrI Mr.. NJ. X BorsroRp, Messrs j. L.
CiESrLKxry-Tho attached. which clipped from this
mornings new YORK HERALD, assumes now widespread
than the common rumors which have reached MS to tho
OF course not advised whether you have made
any With parties for the use Of the premises
not but tee il my duty at this time to state that the
the said during period for which
you leased IL TOR amy suc purpose nor VIII they permit it
6. VANDERBILT Vice President.
MR.. BorsFoRDs VIEWS
Mr.. Botsford was found ut the Garden last even
ing, where the following conversation occurred:-
"What do you propose to do, now that Mr.. Van
derbilt has declared his intention to stop the walk
"We intend to carry out our contract with Mr.
Hess and hold the contest for the Ashley belt in this
Garden. as already announced. We have takon the
very best legal opinions the question. aud they
tell us that Mr.. Vanderbilt stop the walk
II have just learned at the Real Estate Department
OF the Harlem Railroad Company that you were no.
tined by juno 81 OF Mr.. vanderbilts inten-
tons regarding the walk. This is a copy. Do you
remember having seen it?'
'.No, sir. l will take my affidavit that did not
receive 1t, and know that none of my partners did,
think the whole matter is a lot of humbug. and
do not believe MIR. Vanderbilt will interfere with the
walk"
"what il you were stopped by an injunction.
shortly after the doors are opened?'
"If you come to that suppose judge is sitting
and we prepared to file the necessary bonds
But never mind what will do; 1t will be suti-
cient To guard cur interests when the proper time
comes"
"Are you sure that Mr.. Skit never notified you
before yesterdayY'
"Yes, l am sure he never did. remember lie said
once that we ought to have good force on hand to
keep order"
WESTON RECEPTION
Mr. Hess is making every prep paration to give Mr..
Weston grand reception his arrival. A tug has
been chartered and will so down the bay this morn
ing to meet the steamer Nevada and bring
the champion up to the city. The reception
committee ON the tug will comprise Messrs.
Rufus +. Andrews, Henry Bergh Daniel Bonner,
General Frank d. Spinoa, William Rutters, Shep-
herd L. Knapp, cx-Mayor Wickham, Townsend Cox,
Louis NJ Doxher and Amos Cummings. Inc recep-
ton at Madison Square Garden will be given on
Thursday evening. and Messrs. Rufus f. Andrews
and General Spinola Will be the orators Of the
casiOu.