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LOW ADMISSION ABOLISHED + ALL VISITORS TO BELMONT PARK WILL BE CHARGED THE SAME PRICE. •i j, New Arrangement Agreed to on the Request of the ! District Attorney and Sheriff of Nassau 1 County, but Reluctantly. New Ycuk. April 17. — In conformity -with the i expressed wish of the :mthoritics of Nassau County, the Westchester Racing Association will abolish the field during the forthcoming spring meeting at Belmont Park. The full text of the corre-spodeuce between District Attorney Ijewis J. Smith of Nassau Comity, and August Belmont, president of the Westchester Racing Association, which is lirinted below, indicates a desire on the part of the racing authorities to co-operate in the enforcement of the law. but there is evidenced at the sjilo time a reluctance on the part of the Westminister management, which lias always stood for the democracy of the turf, to changing the established order of things. Later Mr. Belmont may seek to re-establish the dollar field, which is only relinquished at this time hMMM of a desire to strengthen the hand of the district attorney of Nassau County. District Attorney Smiths letter to Mr. Belmont follows : "Dear Sir: — The sheriff of Nassau county and 1 have been talking over the matters concerning the race meetings to be held in the coming summer by the Westchester Racing Association at Belniont Park. We are desirous that the meeting shall be conducted in a 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, it is our opinion that the racing association will greatly facilitate our efforts to accomplish this end if they would close the dollar field stand. Our past experience indicates to our minds that most of the trouble and annoyances comes from that part of the grounds. 1 hope that you will give this matter your most earnest consideration and that you will cm -operate witli us in bringing about the result desired. Yours very truly. Lewis J. Smith, District Attorney." Mr. Belmonts reply to District Attorney Smith is couched in the following language: "Dear Sir — I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of April 12, by which yon inform me that the sheriff of Nassau County and yourself have conf"rred en matters concerning racing aheat to be opened by the Westchester Racing Association at Belmont lark. in May. and that it is your de;ire that the meeting shall be conducted in a strictly orderly manner and in conformity with the law. "You are right in assuming that the Westchester Racing Association desires to co-operate with you in this respect. l"t me add. in every respect. "I observe you say that it is your joint opinion that our association would greatly facilitate your cn*orts in accomplishing your purpose, if it would close the dollar field stand because your experience in the past lias irdi ated t. your minds that most cf the trouble an 1 annoyance comes from tl at part of the grounds. "I have no hesitation in saying to you that we will adopt your suggestion and do away with the dollar admission, inaugurating the method pursued at other race courses in making the admission fee uniform. "I want to say. however, in this connection that the Westchester Racing Association and I. as its president, deplore the necessity of the step you have requested us to take. It has been our desire to bring within the reach of the people of moderate means tin- pastime of racing and give to all. if possible through the additional free infield which is thrown open to the public on Saturdays and holidays, an opportunity to witness the sport. "It lias been said, without justice in my opinion, that racing is only a sport for the wealthy. This is not the case in Kurope and should not be the fact in this country. "The Westchester Racing Association will comply with your request as stated, in the hope, however, that time may work a change in the opinion of the constituted .vuthoritics of Nassau County and enable it. at some future period, to offer the public access to parts of its grounds at popular prices and thus put within reach of every one a sport the fundamental reason for the existence of which, its detractors to the contrary notwithstanding, is the improvement of the breed of horses. u thing which this war has proved to Is- of vital military as well as economic importance to every civilized nation."
