New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-06
Mr.. CELIA MAKES DENIAL
Says He Neither Owned Nor Was
Connected with Bucket Shops.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Your esteemed and widely read
newspaper has given me much Unenviable
notoriety in the last few days IN connec-
ton with the fedora raid on bucket shops
VIII you. therefore. be good enough 20
give the following an appropriate place In
your columns Tomorrow
[ have no bucket shop, and therefore,
my bucket shop was not and could not
have been raided. I am neither an officer.
director nor stockholder in the Standard
Stock and Grain Dealers. with which you
connected my name. I have never heard
Of Henry Il. Duryee or Edward Everett
Taylor in Washington. on account Of whose
business have il seems. been indicted. I
have lived in st. Louis for the last twenty
FIVE Years, and have occupied there, I trust.
z position Of decent repUte. As president
and practically sole owner Of the Southern
Real Estate and Financial Company, OF
st Louis own the Missouri Trust Build
ing, the American Hotel. the Public Ii
braTy Building and several commercial
buildings there and. therefore. am IS
teemed a person OF some responsibility in
that community. I never was arrested in
my life and never before was indicted
much less convicted of any crime. I I'D
the activity Of Governor Folk or for any
other reason. and. in point Of fact, still
reside In that city 7 have had extensive
turf interests in the West. and when the
law was passed IN Missouri prohibiting bet
ting on racetracks 1 caused the law 70 be
obeyed, so far as my racetracks we're con-
cerned. And 7 have always endeavOred %
be a law-abiding citizen
I Happening 20 be in New York on a visit
heard OF the Indictment against me. and
through the courtesy OF the United States
Commissioner and of the assistant United
States attorneys managed. with some diff
fculty. to- be allowed 10 surrender myself
to the United States authorities and be
admitted 10 bail before the special gov
eminent agent could have the pleasure Of
incarcerating me for a few hours In his
place in Nassau street or the special Cen
tral Office detective could have the pleas
ure Of taking me TO Police Headquarters
and securing pedigree"
I am advised that eminent counsel once
they take high Office IN the government,
are attacked BY the prosecution bug,
which makes it natural for the Department
Of Justice 10 accompany the commence
ment of a suit by the government against
citizen with an announcement to the
press calculated to injure the private Per
son, when the same lawyer in former prac-
tice would have regarded an attempt 70
PREJUDICE a case in the newspapers as
highly unprofessionaL It seems that this
course on the part OF those in authority
i'm the Department OF Justice is what invites
the subordinate agents to endeavor TO adj
vance their own notOriety we'll
However unfair this may all appear 20
one who has never had previous personal
experiences in this line OF conduct there
seems to be no redress except TO enter upon
the defence Of a litigation. and in due
course 70 bring that defence. 7 may hope.
TO a successful conclusion. Meanwhile, Z
can only request any one who happens 10
know me. or TO know ny name, to be
good enough TO take the above disclaimer
on my part into consideration. and TO with
hold any opinion until that litigation be
ended LOUIS a. CELIA.
New York. April ;. 1910