The New York herald., 1922-02-19
PUT BETS ON RACE
AFTER IT WAS RUN
Capt. Owen Peel Charged With
Having Telegram Timed
Ahead.
THEN BOOKIEs PAID UP
Wife Also Involved in Case
Wherein Postmaster
Was Duped.

Special Gable to THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London, Feb. IS.
II didn't think a man in Capt. Peels
position would work a trick on me
like he did," said George Watts, the
aged postmaster of Avon Dassett, an
obscure Warwickshire village. He was
the principal witness in the trial OF
Capt. Owen Peel and his wife. Violet
who is the daughter OF Sir Robert w
B. Jardine, Bart, an eminent sports
man, on charges that they sent tele-
grams to London boolSmakers placing
bets on a race after the result was
known to them.
They induced Watts. who as post
master also received kilograms. to time
them fifteen minutes earlier than they
were handed to him. This timing was
2:45, and as the race was run at
2:50 the "bookies," as is their custom,
accepted the time on the kilograms as
accurate and paid the Captain his
winnings.
Watts admitted that he had timed a
batch of forty-five kilograms at 2:46
o'clock in the afternoon at Capt. PeeIs
suggestion, when actually 1t was after
o'clock Ire race was run at $50. The
postmaster admitted there was confusion
in the office because of rush OF busi-
ness and simultaneously telephone
call for Mrs. Peel.
Both the Peels come from sporting
families. Sir Robert Jardine Is widely
respected on the turf and owns a long
string Of horses. 1t is often said that
he races them only for sport and never
bets on them himself. Mrs. Peel, his
daughter, is beautiful girl In her early
twenties. She appeared In the court
room fashionably dressed but pale, and
took the 1eenest interest in the pro-
ceedings, frequently writing down no
tations. The Captains family also arc
socially prominent and popular In the
sporting community His mother owned
the famous Poethlyn. who won the
Grand National Stakes both In 1918
and 1919. The Peels have been re-
siding In Avon Dassett.
The race in question was the Duke
of York Stakes at Kempton Park Octo-
her 8, 1921, when Paragon won at 100
to s. Their bets amounted to 1865
their winnings f4.600, certain sums OF
which have been paid back to the book
makers since the trouble arose. The
prosecuting counsel. in introducing the
case, alleged that the Peels took ad-
vantage Of the humble postmaster with
the force of their personalities. playing
on the respect and esteem with which
they were regarded in the village.
He said that Mrs. Peel called up a
clerk on the London Stock Exchange
about the time of the race and engaged
him in friendly conversation. then ask
ing him to look at the ticker TO see
who had won the Duke of York Stakes.
1t was further alleged that In this way
she had learned the result, and few
seconds afterward informed her hus-
band. who filed kilograms already pre-
pared, to various bookmakers, first hav-
Ing induced the postmaster to stamp the
time upon them enormously.
The postmaster testified that 1t was
necessary to telephone the kilograms
and that on the afternoon in question
his girl assistant had been given holi-
day. Capt. Peel had entered the post
office at the time he filed a telegram
QSklnS the prlCe OH dnOlner morse IN the
race, and then had said he expected a
telephone call. The post 'ffice tele-
phone is the only one in the village
When the telephone call came Mrs. Pee
had talked about ten minutes and ther
had called her husband, who went into
the booth. Then he had started out, but
returned with a batch Of kilograms. say.
Ing. II had almost forgotten these"
Watts said that he timed the first tele-
gram $3.50. but testified that the Cap
tain had asked him to code II 2:45.
Watts complied. The race was timed for
1850, but started about 3 o'clock. The
issue of the case rests upon the deter
mination OF these time records. The
post office claims that II the first tele-
gram was filed at 2 $50. and IL Mrs. Peel
talked over the telephone for ten min
utes. as said, the other kilograms mus,
have been handed In after 3 O'Clock.
But all of them were stamped 2 :45
p. NJ. The prosecution was started when
the "bookies" made inquiries about the
delay IN the batch of kilograms. and an
investigation was begun.