view raw text
, BETTING FLURRY AT BELMONT PARK. Governor Orders Action on Information That Illegal Betting Attends the Racing. New fork, September 2. Governor Whitman yesterday notified Lewis J. Smith, district attorney, and Stephen p. ivttit. sberiti .f Kaaaan eoaaty, that they must enforce- the antl-gambilng law during t!i- races ai the Behnonl Park race Hack. The " executive -aid thai he proponed I" learn by independent ■*" investigation whether gambling was beiag carried on there. The governor -eui this telegram i to Sin-rill Pettit. "You have abandance of power under the law to T prevent gambling at the race- track. I propose by independent investigation t learn if the law i- being violated al Belmont Iark. Shall hold you re--pcin-ible for failure to enforce the law if such violations occur. The sheriff is empowered, and it is ] his duty, to call to his aid a- many deputies as are necessary to pat an end to law breaking." A similar telegram was seat to the district at-toraey and in it the governor included a copy of his message to the sheriff. The betting question came to the fore at Belmont Iark this afternon as the result of Governor • Whitman- action in ordering a strict enforcement : of lice- statutes c,n he sllb.je-|-|. IHStrtct Atlolln-. Lewis J. Smith, of a--au i County, after receiving the telegram from Governor Whitman, -aid he would eh everything possible t" prevent any violation of the law at Belmont Park ; and would have deputy sheriffs al the track. The • district attorney saiel he did not thing it right ! ■ use the taxpayers money without results ami that i a delnite result could not be obtained, unless proper r law- were passed regarding bookmaklng. sheriff Pettit said he would chi his duty and have ■ additional men at the race track during the re-mainder cf the meeting. Sonic- excitement wa- caused in the ranks of I the Belmont Park layer- today when officers representing - District Attorney Smith and Sheriff Pet-til of Nassau County made several arrests far al-leged infractions , the ami betting law. ihe men , arrested were Henry Stedeker, Joseph Blame, Bk-hard I Wi-ldon. Peter along. Nick LaseotaM, Samuel Braoa-Kteia, Hugh Collin-. Cy ; ldie. John Krundy. Ueorge . Long ami Sam Gordsa. They were taken to Hempstead and were released on bail pending their appearance before magistrate Joaes tomorrow. There was also a shake up in the circle of odds . lav ers at Belmont iark before the races began. Some of the largest operators were told that their [. business was causing too much excitement, and i they were asked not to continue laying odds for ,. the time being. Another order leaned was that the previous days business between layers and players s be settled after the first race each clay in order r to avoid the gatherings under the grandstand 1 previous to the- races as has been the custom heretofore. The new rule practically termits he settlement . of oral wagers immodiattdy after a race l- ilecieled.
