The Washington herald., 1910-11-30
BELMONT RESENTS
ANYI-RACING LAW
Stirred by Insinuations OF
Jockey Club Bribery.
PETTY PERSECUTION Is SEEN
Graft Hunt Committee Hears Head
of Racing OrgRnizatiOn-Indivi
uaI HOrsemen Subscribed to I'm
derwritIng Fund to Protect Assoc
citation Against Loss.

New York, Nov 29.-August Belmont
was the most important and interesting
witness at to-day's session of the graft
hunt committee The feature of Mr..
Belmont's testimony was that portion OF
II which he volunteered. in answer to
question by Judge Bruce. Mr.. Belmont
had referred 10 the ''persecution-just as
in this particular instance" 10 which the
sport of racing had been subjected, and
little later counsel asked witness: You
refer 20 the prosecutions in this instance.
To which do you REFER
II appeared that what was intimately in
the mind OF the witness was the manner
in which he had been served with the
committees subpoena TO appear. But
being started he seemed 10 take consid-
cradle satisfaction in delivering a mum.
Der OF reflections with which his mind
was filled on the general subject OF rae
ing and the public attitude toward thai
sport.
Explains Jockey Club.
Mr.. Belmont was called at the beginning
OF the afternoon session. After describ-
ing himself as a banker. he said. in reply
10 questions. that he was president OF
the Westchester Racing Association and
chairman Of the Jockey Club. The latter
( he explained. lis a close corporation OF
fifty members brought into being some ter
years ago at the request OF all kinds OF
men interested in racing. There was 2
convention, so 10 speak, called Of al
those and they asked a certain number
OF prominent men 10 form the Jockey
Club and take under their jurisdiction
the rules OF racing"
The club is Incorporated Mr.. Belmon;
I is Its chairman, James r. Keene vice
chairman, and Frank X. Sturgis secre-
tary and treasurer.
After the witness had al some length
explained that the jockey club had never
levied assessments. but had received vol.
untary contributions for the general
good of the sport. he was asked by Judge
Bruce 20 explain what he meant by hts
reference TO persecution. Mr.. Belmont re-
piled:
Il refer 10 this very hearing. because
to my mind Il takes on almost the APP
pearance OF the ridiculous. l am called
here to testify about something that il
ought 10 be presumed ! would know moth
ing. Nor do J. And / wanted to ask II
would be permitted In this connection
10 ask the chairman when my subpoena
was issued. II it was not an illegitimate
thing TO do.
Not to His Knowledge.
Judge Bruce sat down. and Chairman
Merritt. at whom the witness was look
ing. blew long stream OF smoke
through his lips, and then replied;
Il do not know"
The witness continued: 4 had no mott
ficatiOn whatever. and / would be alway.
perfectly willing 10 appear here. except
in an attempt 10 serve me in a round.
about way On the afternoon before
Thanksgiving a process server came Il
nay Office and represented himself as
wanting 10 see me on legal business
was served. and / didn't know who ht
was. The chances were that on ordinary
days 1 wouldn't have been at my ONCE
at all. 1 had engaged my fare 10 go e
Buffalo and through the West. bur some
reason prevented me.
II ran a great risk of not being served
and felt very much aggrieved because
felt that possibly my name might be
used as you have taken occasion TO speak
of some or our associates, as trying "a
evade service. Now that is a reflection
and It comes under the head OF what ]
call q s,ersacfttEsn bacassa II -orz-e1-s -