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CALLS IT QUESTION OF JURISDICTION. Toronto Globe Editorial Says Raciny Slurold Be Governed by Federal Government Only. Toronto. Out.. February 7. — The Globe says editorially concerning the racing situation in Canada: Two things were apparent in the debate on the multiplication of race courses in Ontario — that parliament was not divided on the necessity for their restriction, and that their number was due to the laxity of the provincial authorities in passing upon applications for the right to exercise the privileges granted under the Miller bill. Attorney-general Uaeas lias failed to live up to the principle declared by his predecessor in that office when he refused to sanction the use of an old charte:- at Niagara Falls, bucked though it was by the sup-IMirt of the local aaeusben of the legislature. Mr. i-oy went further and laid down his course as being justified on the ground of the public interest and policy. "From that sound principle Mr. Ltu-is has departed as far as possible, and refuge is sought in the ph-a that chartered clubs must, under the present Ontario law. be granted licenses. Such legislation is of the provincial governments making and only establishes more clearly the responsibility for the present situation. In view of the failure of the provincial authorities, either in Ontario or Quebec, to sustain the principle of the Miller hill, parliament would do well to leave as little as possible in future to these agencies. All racing charters now in existence, and not actually used under license, should be called up for cancellation, and authority to operate under the exemptions specified in the present law should be obtainable only by a federal and not by a provincial act." When shown this editorial, Hon. I. D. Lucas, attorney -general, anM i "I have nothing whatever to do with the granting or withholding of licenses for race tracks, nor did my predcceaaor, Mr. Foy. Baca track Bcraacs are entirely under another department of the guv-en iicnt. The paper is entirely wrong in stating Mr. Foy n fused to sanction the use of the old race track charter at Niagara Falls. An effort was made to secure the transfer to Niagara Falls of a charter giving the right to hold races at London. Out., and as a result of the decision of the Court this transfer was anniented. The psger suggests as a remedy for the evil that th" Ontario government cancel all charters now in existence. This, 1 am afraid, would not bring about the result desired, as the chart is issued bj th" dominion government would still remain, and racing would continue.
