"They flagrantly call attention to betting on the races," he replied.
"Yes," he replied, "but public sentiment is beginning to be aroused against betting, and an attack is bound to result."
It occurred to me that at that very time Mr. Whitney was engaged in disposing of his stock in various traction enterprises in New York to Mr. Belmont and his syndicate, and that in all probability Mr. Whitney had sought the assistance of Mr. Belmont to put the _Daily America_ out of business in this way. It was apparent that the _Daily America_ would lose money fast without the Maxim & Gay advertising. Maxim & Gay, too, would practically be compelled to close up shop if it could not advertise. I promised to consider.
Returning to the _Daily America_ office, I decided to pay no attention to Mr. Belmont's request, having become convinced that it was conceived in the interest of the _Morning Telegraph_.
A few days later I was again summoned over the 'phone to Mr. Belmont's office. When I was ushered into Mr. Belmont's presence he said:
"If you don't quit advertising the Maxim & Gay Company in the _Daily America_, I will see William Travers Jerome, and he will stop you."
Mr. Jerome was then District Attorney, and the idea of doing anything that Mr. Jerome considered illegal appalled me.
"If Mr. Jerome sends word to me that the Maxim & Gay advertising is illegal, I will discontinue it," I said.
I did not hear from Mr. Jerome, and so went on with the advertising.
Within a few weeks the Washington race meeting opened at Bennings. When the Maxim & Gay staff reached there, we were all informed that the Post-office department was about to begin an investigation into our business affairs, and all of our staff voluntarily appeared before the inspectors and underwent an examination. Our books were also submitted. This investigation, coming on the heels of Mr. Belmont's threat, convinced me that the influence of Mr. Belmont and Mr. Whitney reached all the way to Washington, and I concluded that if I did not discontinue the Maxim & Gay advertising in the _Daily America_, and then, of course, discontinue the _Daily America_, they would make serious trouble. So I hung out the white flag. I announced my retirement from the Maxim & Gay Company and offered to sell my newspaper to Mr. Whitney.