The Washington times., 1931-10-15
CAPONE LOSSES
ON RACES PUT
At S327,000
Gang Chief a "Bum Picker"
But Always Came Back for
More, Bookmakers Swear

more, b00kmakerS swear
FEDERAL BUILDING, Chicago,
Oct. Is QN.SD .-Althoug the
defense had not formally closed
its case at the trial of Al Capone
for income tax evasion, it an
nounced shortly before noon to-
day it had put on it's final wit
ness. 1t still had arguments and
motions to make to the court, it
was stated by Defense Attorney
Albert Fink.
Capone lost $4,000 betting on
the horses at the Hileah track at
Miami, Fla, during the 48-day ses.
sion from January to March. in
1929, Budd Gentry, bookmaker,
testified today.
This sum put CapOne's total
losses, as so far revealed to the
jury up to S327,OOO. Half q
dozen defense witnesses yesterday
had sworn that the defendant
dropped $4,000 on the ponies
at other tracks, but always came
back to bet more.
Lost Heavily In 1929
Gentry, a flashily dressed,
partly bald man Of about so, de-
clered he became acquainted with
Capone in Florida in 1929 when
he was working for bookmaker
at the Hileah track. Gentry
said the bookmaker by whom he
was employed had a 100000 book
and he got five per cent of the
winnings.
Q.-(By Defense Attorney
Albert Fink. What was the
biggest bet you were commits
stoned to take from the defend
ant CapOne.
A.-Ten thousand dollars.
Q.-How many such bets did
he make.
A.-Several $4,000 bets.
Q.-"ApprOximately how much
did Capone lose?"
A.-"AbOut S11O,0O0."
Gentry also testified he had
seen Capone play stud poker and
lose These games took place
at Capone's home at Palm Is
land, Miami Beach. When asked
who was present, the witness
said "it wasn't the custom to
introduce people at Capone's
house"
Put Up $4,000 Roll
When Capone started betting
at Hialeah he put UP a bank
roll of $4,000 and gambled with
that amount, making individual
bets to the tune of $1,000, $500
and $4,000, Gentry said.
Q. (By Green) What horse
was it when Capone lost the
$4,000 bet.
A. don't remember. He made
several $4,000 bets.
@. Can you remember one
horse on which he lost $4,000.
A. No, I don't think I can.
Speculation Recalled
Harry Belford, who described
himself as a Spectator" for Is
years, was recalled today as the
first witness. He had testified that
Capone had lost between 5000
| and 5000" betting with him on
the races In 1927.
Prosecutor Dwight H. Green
cross-examined Belford. He asked
him how many names he went
under other than Belford. The
witness first answered "No other
Names" but later admitted he is
known under the nickname Of
Hickory Slim.'
Belford said he was introduced
to Capone some years ago by Roy
Jones. The witness testified his
transactions with Capone were at
the Hawthorne race track where
Belford was a bookmaker.
At CapOne Conference
BelfOrd admitted last Monday
night he attended a conference
called for 9 D. m. at Capone'S
headquarters at the Lexington
Hotel. He went there in response
to telephone call from CapOne.
Among those present at the con.
ference was Johnny TOrriO, Ca.
pOne's first boss in Chicago.
Prosecutor Green interrogated
Belford at length on the subject
of Capone's winnings-when he
won. which was seldom. The wit
ness was then excused.
RULE FOR FOLIO