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DANGER OF BEING MORALLY OVERFED Reformers Who Ask Government to Continue Ban on Racing: Get Little Encouragement. OTTAWA, Out., March 12. The racing situation has taken on a new aspect by reason of the demands made last week uiwu the government by a delegation representing elements of moral and social reforms. They ask for the continuation in iermanency of the existing ban. They got no definite answer, but it is understood that Sir Thomas White gave a little talk on morals in general, and passed out some hints how people may get "fed up" on too much restriction. In the ordinary course of events racing would have been re-established in May, because the ban on it operated only during the war and for six months after hostilities ceased. The racing people, id consequence, have been lying low and awaiting the effluxion of time. The government has not decided the matter, but probably the races in some form will come back. This is not to say that the old order will be reverted to in toto. Track owners may have to pay a percentage of earnings and bookmaking may be done away with and machines used. The little half-mile tracks may also be eliminated or reduced in numbers. The breeding industry has to be considered in the matter, as there is a large recognized measure of force in the argument that racing is essential to raising thoroughbreds. The governments position Is not without difficulty in many questions of abstract morality that are put up to it; notably horse racing and prohibition, but a substantial element of their supporters are urging that a too great measure of restriction will defeat its- purpose by arousing resentment. Meanwhile petitions for bone-dry prohibition come in numerously through the agency of reformers.
