The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-11
Garfield TO RUN PARIS CLUB
~ NE accepts THE PRINCES
0JFIR or S2O,OOO SALARY.
International Gambling Club Of 10000
Patrons Proposed ana Prince Baria-
,lnsh, Of Russia Makes the Orer
es.O. 600 Nlals0n LaFltte the Place.


SARATOGA. n Y, Aug lO.-On behalf of 900
Gentlemen, mobiles and a few monarchs.
Prince Bariatinsky of Russia has offered
~ Richard A. Garfield the management
If Mason LaF'tte in Paris, hard by the
Seine. 10 he run as a club for gentlemen
oa,pesrers Of Europe and America. The
rropos'ion was at first declined, for reasons
that will appear later, but at the request of
the man who made it it was taken under
sdyiscmcnt and is still being considered by
Mr.. Garfield.
The offer was made to Garfield at
Cardge's Hotel in London last spring and
WAS renewed few days ago. The facts
concerning it came ont at n dinner given by
Garfield last evening to four friends from
New York One was member OF the
Stock Exchange. one was a well-known
awver, another was an architect Of promi-
hence and the fourth was an art critic.
During the dinner one OF the party who
was in London when the proposition was
made asked Garfield to tell the story.
He aid so, and the lawyer OF the party told
II to The SUN correspondent tonight.
Here it is
Nearly year ago. Bariatinsky, who is a
scion of one Of the oldest families in Russia
WAS at Monte Carlo. With him was Prince
Murat, descendant Of Napoleon's famous
General. who is at the head Of the Jockey
Club Of France. The Casino was crowded,
and both Princes had been shouldered and
ios'ed good hit in their play at roulette.
Going ont Of the place Bariatinsky re-
marked that there would be much more
sport in the game could the play be carried
on in a club whose membership should be
mtad and exclusive. Murat agreed and
casually remarked that the beautiful and
historic Mason LaFitts, the home for years
n the Princes Of Orleans, and whose
interior appointments to-day are practi-
callv the same as they were in the days
Of the Empire, would be the ideal place
for such a club.
Bariatinsky became enthusiastic and
declared that he would see what could be
done in the way OF forming a club. He
talked Of the scheme to some Of the leading
men in France and then went to London.
In both capitals the idea was received
with enthusiasm. Finally he returned to
ST. Petersburg and he saw at once that there
would be no difficulty in getting enough
members to represent Russia. The trouble
seemed to be, in fact, that there were too
many who desired membership.
Fairly last spring there was a conference
I, London. The scheme crystalllzed into
tho choosing OF an international committee
to arrange the details Bariatinsky repre-
scented Russia; Lord Marcus Beresford.
England; Prince Murat, France; two MEM
bers Of the nobility, Germany: and a mil
ionairs interested in corporations, the
United States.
An option on the Maison LaFitts was
obtained, and then the prime movers cast
about for a man to run the club and it's
business. 1t was known that Garfield
was in London. Somebody suggested his
name Gt is said that it was Prince Hatfield
who married the stepdaughter OF the late
Coils P. Huntingdon, and Bariatinsky
was authorized to make the offer
The Russian called at Claridge's and
made the following proposition Garfield
to buy the Maison LaFitte and the eight
acres of ground surrounding it for $500 900;
TO fit up the place for the purpose intended
and open il.
The committee. on its part. would guaran-
tee him 10000 members, selected by the
committee. and all the profits Of the club,
including the games, which. Of course,
Garfield was to back; besides this. a salary
Of $4,000 year as proprietary manager
was guaranteed.
After the proposition, Garfield, according
to the lawyers story said:
Prince Bariatinsky, | appreciate your
offer. 1t is the most flattering one ever
made to professional gambler, but fear
that you do not know the person to whom
you are making it. / am charged at this
very time by the chief prosecuting officer
Of New York with being fugitive from
Justice. and, more than all, with being q
thief and the meanest kind OF swindler.
q do not see my way clear to accepting
your offer. anyway, but / will consider it.
In the meantime, ask you to thoroughly
inform yourself about me and come to see
me- week from to-day. I suggest that
you or some Of your friends cable to New
York and ask any reputable person there
who knows me few questions
According to the story. Baratinsky
replied:
We have heard about your experiences
in New York and we have drawn our own
conclusions. Having done so, we make
you the offer. However, I will give you
week in which to consider it,,
The Russian returned in a week and
Garfield said to him:
You remember that l told you that l
nad been accused among other things, Of
being fugitive from Justice. Since |
have been in London have been informed
That have been indicted for maintaining
gambling house. must return to New
York and face the charge Therefore l
must decline your offer. However, when
get hone | will try to find man whom
can recommend to you"
The Russian replied that the offer had
h"e1 made To Garfield and that the COM
m'ito" did not care to have Mr. Garfield
commend somebody else, whereupon, as
IKE Sun man gets the story, Garfield said.
have property in Saratoga that
,"pr"sehts large expenditure of money.
se" no prospect, at present, Of getting
Ita VI 1t at anything like what it cost me
u. however, find. some time in the future,
maj can do SO and if the trial of my case
~shitS as | confidently believe it will.
T.uld be then III position to accept your
onnr II II was renewed.
Inc Prince said that he could give no
assurance Of it's renewal in the future
OUT he would let Garfield know if the propo-
sstlon were revived. Not long ago Can
meIn learned that there was still a desire
NAY he should become the proprietor of
Msson Latitte. He Ia more inclined to a
favorable COISIderatj ion Of tho propCsi-