The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-30
BELMONT THINKS
HE is PROSECUTED
Millionaire Horse Owner Denounces Methods
Used to Get Him Before Investigate
ing Committee.
ing Committee.

New York. November 29.-AuEust
Belmont. millionaire owner and chair
man of the Jockey Club and the Yves
Chester Racing Association, took th'
witness stand this afternoon and tole
the Legislative Investigating committed
that he considered he had been perse
cuted. "And want TO say" he added
with emphasis. that the racing as
sociations and the Jockey Club fought
the anti-race- track bills fairly"
Mr.. Belmont is the only one of q
trio of prominent men Identified with
racing whom the committee has been
able to get on the witness stand to
testify concerning the charge that a
100000 corruption fund was raised
by the racing interests TO combat the
Hart-Agnew law, prohibiting betting
on horse races, which passed the Leg
islature in 1908. Subpoenas for Mr..
Belmont, James r. Keene and Harry
Pane Whitney have been out for weeks,
all having been mentioned as present
at conference at which the alleged
fund was subscribed.
Service has not yet been obtained
on Messrs. Keene and whitney, and
their secretaries, both called as wit
nesses to-day. testified that they were
in Europe.
Club Not Assessed.
The Jockey Club, Mr.. Belmont ex-
rlained. is a close corporation of fifty
members. brought into being about
ten years ago by men interested IN
the turf He was asked by what au-
thority the Jockey Club had assessed
$500 on the Conoye Island jockey
Club. and replied that the money had
not been paid as the result of an as
sessment, but contributed informally
There is no authority, Mr.. Bel
mont said that can be exercised by
the Jockey Club TO influence payment
of a fee by a racing association for
legal purposes: but the associations,
finding that they We're to be perse-
outed, combined and retained attorneys
to fight the legislation. This was pure
ly voluntary matter. and there was
absolutely no compulsion whatsoever
IN having the money raised TO retain
lawyers
ITO what do you refer when you
say persecution of racing?" he was
asked.
Well may say, that was served
with a subpoena by your committee in
a way that I'd call persecution. I had
no notification of the fact that you
wanted me. An attempt was made to
serve me the day before Thanksgiving
Day in a roundabout way. by calling
at my office and saying that l was
wanted on a very pressing business
matter. That is reflection, and II
is persecution in that it made the COM
mittee think / was trying to evade
service.
Now, take Mr. whitney He is
abroad, arranging the international
polo match. His stable is abroad and
his interests are there. You post him
as a subpoena dodger"
1t was absurd. ne added, to expect
Mr.. Whitney to charter special
some mythical dinner that was print
cd in the newspapers, and some
mythical sum that was raised whose
very size is ridiculous"
Chairman Bruce Interrupted to say
that 1t was record that James r. Keene
left this country after the committee
had issued a subpoena for him and
after he knew the committee wanted
him. As to Mr.. Whitney. he said. 1t
was not established when he sailed.
Tell me all you know about what
funds Were raised and howe" asked
Judge Bruce
Omen to Public.
can't tell you mucA,'' said Mr.
Belmont, "but the acts OF the associa-
tion are public property and open to
inspection, and the funds were raised
pro rata among the various racing as
sociations.'
The witness admitted that there were
several conferences held by the men
interested in racing.
AT one If these" he said. "a purse