view raw text
SHERIFF REPORTS TO GOVERNOR Peace Officer of Nassau County Declares Law Is Not Violated at Belmont Park Albany N Y June 30 Governor Sulzer has re ¬ ceived a letter from Sheriff Charles T Demott of Nassau County outlining the action he lias taken iu 1 his efforts to discover any violation of the gambling laws during the race meetings held at the tracks in his county countyThe The sheriff declares that he has failed to secure any evidence that would justify him in arresting any person not a professional gambler for making an oral bet with a friend ami that lie has had twentyeight deputy sliei ills on duty at the tracks in addition to his personal services and that he found no evidence of bookmaking or piKtlselllng After issuing a copy of the letter from Sheriff Demott tin governor said that he may talk further on the sub ¬ ject later laterSheriff Sheriff Demotts letter to the governor follows June 215 1913 1913lion lion William Sulzer Governor Slate Albany N Y YDear Dear Sir Your favor of Hie 24th inst in which you advise me that you will hold me strictly re ¬ sponsible for any violation of the law In regard to gambling within try county and request that I make report to you at once of wliat actions or pre ¬ cautions 1 have taken to enforce1 the law is at hand handIn In reply I would respectfully state that I have twentyeight deputy sheriffs on duty at the track and have instructed them to take immediately info custody any person making book oh the races and lo keep a sharp lookout that no bookmakiiig takes place I also cover the grounds very thoroughly iu per ¬ son and can assure you that any one violating the law custodyIn will be immediately taken into custody In addition to my deputies the Westehester ltacing Association has also a large staff of Pinker toon deteclives employed to see that the law is not violated In view of the decision of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of this department and the opinion of the county judge of Nessiu County I think you will agree with me that I am not justified in arresting any person not a profes ¬ sional gambler for making an oral bet with a friend friendI I note what yon say in regard to the criminal liability of the association or the officers thereof conducting the race meeting 1 understand that the district attorney intends to start proceedings against the officers of the association associationUpon Upon tile Issuance of a warrant to me by the proper authorities for tlie arrest oC ally officers of the association I will execute it at once Ifthiru is anything more that you can suggest that I con do to ol ey the law as the courts interpret it 1 will H glad to obey your wishes in the matter I beg to remain Yours respectfully Charles T Demott Sheriff of Nassau County CountyIt It is understood that District Attorney Wysoug of Nassau county will hold a conference at once with Samuel Marcus counsel for the Society for the Prevention of Crime who according to a letter written to Mr Wysoug by Canon William Sheafe Chase of Brooklyn will produce witnesses to prove that the antibookinaking law has been violated at Belmont Park ParkCanon Canon Chase in his communication to the Dis ¬ trict Attorney says that lie has no personal knowl ¬ edge of the alleged facts which show that Bel ¬ mont Park has been used for gambling and illegal bets and wagers He has asked Mr Wysoug for the opinion recently handed down by Justice Nleinann of Nassau county who dismissed charges of gamb ¬ ling brought through the Burns Detective Agency District Attorney Wysong according to Mr Marcus will be asked to proceed against the owners of tho track under Section 973 of the Penal Law
