He was keenly interested. He asked us to leave our plans with him and return in three days, which we did. With Rickard at our next meeting was Colonel John Hammond, a West Pointer, who later became vice-president of the Garden in charge of hockey promotion. Col. Hammond was an ardent ice fan, having been captain of the Cadets’ hockey team and he seemed impressed with the idea. Rickard was even more interested. We had brought the Philadelphia inventor with us and our backer’s legal adviser to give further details. Going more deeply into the plans, we showed Rickard where he could use the new building for all kinds of sports events and exhibitions, in addition to having a meeting place, bigger and better than the old Garden. Our plans called for a motion picture theatre on the street level, with an arcade leading to the arena. We had a tentative agreement from the Keith’s Theatre to lease that portion if the building was erected. The present Garden has only a few changes from the plan Scanlon and I offered. Rickard asked where we contemplated building if he decided to go in with us. We told him of our conference with Judge Mayer and his suggestion to call a bondholders’ meeting to get their consent. Judge Mayer also wanted us to show our good faith with a deposit of $25,000, and we had a certified check for that amount ready. We suggested that the best place would be the site of the car barns at Fiftieth Street and Eighth Avenue. Rickard assured us he would report to our syndicate in a few days, as he wanted more time to think it over and to discuss it with his financial backers. When we next met, however, we learned that he was not in favor of the project. “It’s too costly, Nat,” he said. “I spoke to John Ringling and others who might become interested, and they say it’s a foolish move. It would be a total loss. The location is no good, and the plan for an ice rink is out of the question. We couldn’t operate both fights and hockey; and, besides, we haven’t the teams here.” In an effort to induce Rickard to change his mind, Scanlon told Tex that Judge Mayer could probably get the barn site for $2,200,000, and I added that I was confident we could obtain it for less with cold cash. Rickard indicated it was too risky and Col. Hammond backed him on that. We couldn’t budge Tex, and thus our bubble burst. We thought he was the only sportsman to whom such a proposition could appeal, and when he refused to accept our offer, both on a percentage basis and on a stock partnership, Scanlon and I gave up.