The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-17
May REESTABLISH
The DOLLAR FIELD
August Belmont Reserves
Right to Satisfy Demand
for Popular Prices.
LETTERS EXPLAIN PLANS

The full text of the correspondence be
Of Nassau county and August Belmont
president Of the Westchester Racing As
Scciation. which II printed below. indi
Gates a desire on the part OF the racinI
authorities to cooperate in the enforce
ment Of the law. but there is evidence
at the same time a reluctance on tn
part Of the Westminster management
which has always stood for the de
mocracy Of the turf. to changing the es
tahlished order Of things.
Later Mr.. Belmont may seek to rees
6blish the dollar field, which is onl.
relinquished at this time because of
desire to strengthen the hand of the Dis
trict Attorney of Nassau county.
District Attorney Smiths letter to MI
Belmont follows.
DEAR SIR: The Sheriff Of Nassau
county and l have been talking
over the matters concerning the
coming summer by the Wcstches-
ter Racing Association ut Belmont
Park. We are DESTROYS that the meet
ing shall he conducted in strictly
orderly manner and in conformity
with the law. We believe that YOU, on
behalf Of the association. desire TO CO.
operate with us in this respect, and in
view of past experience, II is our opln-
ion that the racing association will
greatly facilitate our efforts 10 accom-
plish this end II they would close the
dollar field stand. our past experience
indicates to our minds that most of the
trouble and annoyance comes IRON
that part OF the grounds.
hope that you will give this matter
your most earnest consideration and
that you will cooperate with us in
bringing about the result desired.
Yours very truly.
LEWIS J. SMITH. District Attorney.
Mr.. Re,mont's reply to District Attor
aey Smith reads:
DEAR SIR I beg to acknowledge
che receipt of our letter of April IL.
BY which you inform me that the
Sheriff OF Nassau county and yourself
have conferred on matters concerning
the racing about to be opened by the
Westchester Racing Association at
Belmont Park In May, and that II Is
your desire that the meeting shall b-
conducted IN "A strictly orderly manner
and In conformity with the law.
You are right in assuming that the
Westminster Racing Association de-
sires 20 cooperate with you in this re-
meet, let me add. in every respect.
observe YOU say that 1T * YOUR
Joint opinion that our association
would greatly facilitate your efforts in
accomplishing your purpose II II would
close the dollar field stand because
your experience in IN. past has !ndi-
Gated TO your minds tnnt most 81 the
trouble and annoyance comes from that
part Of the grounds
have no hesitation in saying to YOU
that We will adopt you suggestion and
do away with the dollar admission.
inaugurating the method pursued at
other r~acecourses in making the ad-
mission fee uniform.
l want to say. however. in this con-
ncction that the WestcheSter Racing
Association, and I as it, president, de-
plore the necessity of the step YOU
have requested us to take. II has been
Dur desire 10 bring within tho reach of
people OF moderate means the pastime
of racing and give to all If possible
Through the additional free inield
which is thrown open 10 tho public on
Saturdays n holidays an opportunity
to witness tho sport.
II has been said. without JUSTICE in
" pIblllol. IiitN Ii'lIE Is 'lllN a sport
for the wealthy. This is not the case
in Europe and should not be the fact
I'm this country.
The Westchester Racing Association
Will comply with your request AS
stated. in the hope. however. that time
may worh a change IN the opinion of
no constituted authorities OF Nassau
county and enable II at some future
period to offer the public access to
parts OF its grounds al popular prices
and thus put within reach of every
one a sport the fundamental reason
FOR the existence OF which, It's de-
tractors TO the contrary notwithstand-
Ing. Is the Improvement of the breed of
horses. a thing which his war has
proved to be of vital military ~ We'll
rs economic Importance to every civil
ltzed nation. Yours very truly,
AUGUST BELMONT, President.