New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-12-05
Hopes Legislative Committee
Will Put Racing in Its
True Light.
HAS FAITH IN RECORD
Thinks Conflicting Testimony
Will Not Lead People to
Believe Him Capable
of Wrong.

Il am quite aware OF the impression
that must have been created in the mind
r. the casual reader by the apparently
conaicting testimony given before the
legislative committee.
.B,,t I do not believe that the great
-,uhlic that has known me for many
,aars will form q prejudicial opinion.
and NAY say to you that / have mott
fed the committee that i am at its
dismissal to appear at the shortest pos
sihle notice by telephone to me-
Y have done this III order that no op-
-,o-t,,nity fo. misunderstanding as to
my testimony or any act Of mine in con-
necticn with racing at any and ali times
-oav exist. do not think it proper and
Incoming OF me to criticise any teStl-
-,onv before the committee. and hard as
II NAV be upon me. 1 am willing TO
await the action of the committee, Whlcn
will in the proper time and In the
nrorer way set clearly before the public
+har nv connection with racing is that
of On honorable man. engaged in the en-
iovment Of what ] shall always hold to
be an honorable and proper sport
lSlCOT
committee, said yesterday that Mr. Bel
mont would. of course. be summoned to
appear again as witness. probably next
Wednesday,
4 friend Of Nj Belmont, who is thor
oughly familiar with all the circuu-
itances connected with racing and in
position clearly to understand and give
u1terance to Mr.. Belmont's real point
OF view. said yesterday:
AS usual. somebody has to be the
goat MI Belmont seems to have been
selected in this case
Reflects Mr.. BeImont's Views.
Continuing with great precision of
speech. realizing that he was rejecting
ror public perusal the mind Of Mr. Bel
mont, he said:
1t will be shown in a few days that
the apparent conflict in testimony given
by Mr. Belmont and Frank K Sturgis
dle e the fact ti-s1c sir. Stuigis had
an imperfect recollection of the facts
end failed TO differentiate between Mr.
Belmont's authority over q certain fund
uf $4,000 and other disbursements
which he o. k'd as chairman of the
Jockey Club.
What IL. Sturgis evidently intended 10
convey was that he. as treasurer of the
Jockey Club, before making payment on
any acquisitions for funds he held for
the purpose required Mr.. Belmcnt's O.
K as chairman Of the Jockey Club. which
O. K. Mr.. Belmont gave, officially in
accordance with the decisions Of his
associates
As 10 the disbursements made from
the fund Of S40000 for legal fees and
publicity. the items were probably cor
rectlZ stated.
Mr.. Sturgis correctly stated. for in
stance, that large sums were necessary
tc conduct the many cases that arose
from to time in the courts and which
the Jockey Club and the racing associa-
lions were bound to protect
View Distorted and Unfair.
There Is vast difference. however,
between the unfair and distorted view
that has peen sought 10 be impressed
OF the public mind and the actual facts.
The right Of the racing association
70 legitimate expenditure OF money
critics Of racing. and no evidence so far
given can rightly be construed as an
llegitimate use Of racing funds. II is
one thing to protect property by the
employment OF legal talent and to seek
The support of the public through pub
iiCity agencies in favor of racing, and
Il is quite another thing to use large
sums Of money To bribe the Legislature.
The warfare waged against racing
incited d volume of litigation almost
incredible in character and extent and
going back many years.
EVERYTHING was done through pub
Iicity agents to create and maintain a
sentiment among the people TO hold the
law as il was prior TO 1905. The best
legal talent that could be secured TO
represent the racing interests was en-
Rloyed. and all Of this cost a large
amount OF money.
App5aI TO Agriculture.
The active support Of agricultural So
oietles and horse breeders throughout
The state was solicited and all possible
legitimate influence TO preserve the legal
No suggestion was ever made to Mr.
Belmont that Judge Coyne's bills COW
cred any improper disbursements, or
that the money paid TO him in 1907 or
any ether year had been used improperly
TO influence the Legislature. And, as a
natter Of fact, Mr. Belmont has no rea-
son to believe that Judge Coyne, who Is
lawyer in good standing, had ever any
occasion to make any improper use OF
moneys paid 10 him
Judge coyne was highly recommend
60 10 Mr Belmont by ex-Congressfnan
Wadsworth, the father Of the Speaker
aS . very capable lawyer 10 serve per
sonal interests efficiently and as a trial
4@Wyer 10 represent corporations III
Which Mr.. Belmont was interested.
He had been county judge and Sur
fogate in Livingston County and an
adviser Of the Wadsworth estate. When
Governor Higgins appointed Mr. "ads-
Worth as chairman OF the State Racing
Commission TO take Mr.. Belmonts place.
Where lie had served so many years ps
app9intnlent Of Governors Morton anu
Roosevelt. il was natural aid iosioa'
Continued Oh fourth naae-