The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-03
PAID LOBBYIST S42,2sO.
Fighting Race Track Legislation Ex-
pensive in New York.

New York, Dec. 3.-The books of
the Jockey club, the organization
racing throughout the United States,
have been produced before the joint
legislative investigating committee and
show that in 1906, 1907 and 1908 the
club expended $4,000 for legal ex-
penses, advertising and a press bu-
reau.
According to the books, the heaviest
expenditures were in 1907, the year
preceding the passage of the antibet-
the legal expenses were si75,620. The
year previous they were $92,642 and in
1908, the year in which the Hughes
legislation finally prevailed by one
vot@ they were $52.50o, paid out of
a special fund.
Frank K. Sturgis, treasurer of the
Jockey club, testified that all these dis
bursements were at the personal d.
rection of August Belmont, chairman
of the special fund was paid to e. P.
Coyne, a lawyer, recommended to the
club by James w. Wadsworth, Jr.,
speaker OF the assembly.
The books OF the Metropolitan Turf
association, composed of makers of
| books on the races, were not produced.
as had been directed, because John ].
Evans, treasurer of the association.
mitted in his testimony. however, that
the association still has invested a
fund of $40, 900.
Sturgis was asked to explain the ma
ture of the three accounts, numbered
1, and 8. He replied that No. 1 rep
resented the moneys spent by the
Jockey club in its own interests. that
| No. contained expenditures made in
contributing to the Jockey club. and
that No. 3 was for join expenditures.
Other payments to Coyne were read
from the books and the witness testi-
| Belmont's instance" and knew only
that they were for legal expenses. Re
cefpted bills were then produced show
ing that Coyne was paid S42.290 in
1907 and 1908, "for appearing before
legislative committees. opposing adj
verse legislation, consultations with
various legislators and members of the
Jockey club" One bill was for $1,000
and was dated January 10. 1908
would that indicate that he acted
for all the racing associations?" asked
| Mr.. Bruce.
''I don't know"
"Of your own knowledge, you can't
this s42,290?"
mo. only know that Mr.. Coyne was
recommended by Mr.. Wadsworth."
James Wadsworth, Jr., was speaker
/ of the assembly at the last session of
the legislature and during the tight
| against the racing bills. He was at the
hearing on Wednesday when August
Belmont said that the testimony previ-
| ously heard before the committee that
rich members of the Jockey club raised
| a fund OF 100000. was absurd.
Algernon Daingerfield. secretary of
the Jockey club, who followed Mr.. Stur-
| giS on the stand testified of the contri-
buttons by the various associations to
the Jockey club fund. All but the West
chester and the Brighton association, he
said, contributed to the $4,000 special
fund. He never saw any bills to show
where the money went. He saw Coyne
at Albany, he said, but had no know
ledge of what his services were.
John J. Evans, treasurer Of the Met
ropolitan Turf association, the book
makers club, was the last witness cali
ed. He gave his occupation as real
estate dealer and said he had made no
book for ID years. The rolls now show
ed $50 members. he testified, against
200 before the Hughes legislation went
through.
you are practically out of business
since the passage of the Hart-Agnew
law?" asked Mr.. Bruce.
Yes" said the witness, but added,
we're still alive"
Where do you keep the record OF
money received and disbursed?
I'VE have none"
What are the dueS?'
About SIS a year.
The witness was unwilling to tell what
was done with the surplus. 1t was in
ed a was a personal matter. Counsel
finally induced him to admit that the
association had $4,000 invested.
| The hearing was adjourned until to-
day, when it is expected that August
Belmont will again be called to the
stand.