"They flagrantly call attention to betting on the races," he replied.
"But you allow betting at the tracks."
"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.