Legislative Investigation Goes On.: Windsor Race Track Matters Before Public Accounts Committee at Toronto., Daily Racing Form, 1917-04-06

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IEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATION GOES ON. Windsor Race Track Matters Before Public Accounts Committee at Toronto. Toronto. Out.. April 5. — Windsor race track matters, whieh have been so widely discussed, were investigated by the public accounts committee of the Legislature yesterday, when J. T. AVhite. solicitor to the treasury and Hon. Dr. V. O. Reaume. Windsor, former minister of public works, were examined. The solicitor to the treasury referred to negotiations which had taken place with reference to the Windsor Athletic and Racing Club charter and the pari taken by Dr. Reaunn . Mr. Glasses and ■ Mr. Browne, the last of whom Mr. White thought was a New York millionaire. The solicitor io the treasury had several invitations for week-ends at New York. When asked if lie went on one occasion to Buffalo as an intermediary between Dr. Reaume and Mr. Browne. Mr. White declared they were apparently continuing "to use him." He hail no pergonal interest in that or any other ra e track, he said. Dr. Reaume stated that nothing liad bsea promised to him or Mr. Whits in the way of commission, stock or otherwise. Li tin- course of his evidence Mr. White stated that Dr. Reaume came to his office and showed him a copy of the charter of the Windsor Athletic and Racing Chili. He wanted to know whether the charter was a good one in which to carry on raeiasj at Windsor. "I told him I thought so." said Mr. White. "He talked then alxmt the opening for racing in Windsor and said they were either going to start another race tract or sell the charter." "I ivniemher Browne had spoken to me some time ln-fore that, that if 1 heard of a charter or rare track he could get at Windsor to let him know." continued Mr. White. "In a thoughtless moment I told him 1 would. I mentioned to Dr. Be, lime that I know a man in New York who was looking fat S charter.*1 Correspondence Placed Before Committee. Correspondence was then placed before t In- committee. A letter from Mr. White to Dr. Reaume stated he hail a letter from a party in New York wishing to ascertain the price, and to go down to New York to see him. Mr. AVhite said he had played bridge with Browne several times. He hail wires from Mr. Browne asking him to come to New York and spend the week end with him. There had been a telegram from Browne asking Dr. Reaume and him to come to New York, or even meet him at Buffalo. The reply was to the effect "Classen here. We can meet you at Buffalo Saturday night or Sunday." Classen was the man interested in tin* charter. Apparently nothing resulted from the trip, the witness told Mr. Elliott. He understood the price that Glasses was asking was not acceptable to Blow lie. Mr. White stated that at the meeting in Buffalo Classen and Browne were talking and sfll I WSlSs Browne asked about the Devonshire track, and he teN him that that was under litigation. In n ply to Mr. Sinclair, of South Oxford. Mr. White said lie had received nothing from Browne or Dr. lteaume. No expenses of any kind relating to the matters mentioned had been charged to the ile partmeul. Mr. Browne hail asked him to pa to Dc troit. but he said he was throm-h. He did not want anything out of the business or any promises of any thin;. Increasing Tax on Tracks. Mr. White was also questioned as to the increased tax on the race tracks in the province. He tin. light the Ontario lackey Club had invited him down to find how much the jockey clubs could stand in the way of taxation. That information was csafMes tial. Dr. Rcar.nie. former minister of public works, in the course cif his evidence, said: "Mr. Glasses hail some doubts as to the validity of his charter and consulted me. 1 did not know whether his charter was alive or not. I told him when I went to Toronto I would find out. I called on Mr. Hanna. but lie was out of the building. I then went to Mr. Armstrong, who thought as far as he knew that it was all light. Mr. Armstrong ad vised to call on Mr. White of the treasury. Mr. White told me there ptrre some parties in New York |o.,kiug for a charter I do not think he told me who it was. I said: If .Mm let u know. I will i omiiiuuii ate with Mr. Glasses and. as a fellow tow nsmaii of mine, give him an opportunity of deal-ling wiih Ihis gentleman at New York. Shortly afterwards I think I got SSMW communication to go and meet Mr. Brawrae some place in New York. I took that communication ami handed it over to Mr. Classen ami said, "Heres a prospective purchaser for your charter, and a resjaesl to j*o ami meet him in New York.- " Dr. Beauuie had made it clear he was not going. Afterwards he had some correspondence as to the value of the charter, lie consulted Mr. Glasses as to what he wanted. Sonic days he wanted i ."il.»MI and then he made it 5,000. In reply to Mr. Sinclair. Dr. Reaume stated he had interests to the extent of !?1.IHM in the Devonshire track, for which he paid. There was no bonus or present. lie never received any bonus or commission. He had !fl. MM in the Windsor Driving Park. "I admit I am a little fond of a horse race." said the former minister of public works, "and manifest my interest in taking a little stock.**


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