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INVESTIGATION OF CANADIAN RACING Inquiry of Wide Scope to Be Made by Government, with Enactment of New legislation in View. OTTAWA, Ont., August 20. Dr. J. G. Rutherford, a member of the Dominion railway commission, lias been appointed by the Dominion government a rojal commissioner to conduct a inquiry into conditions pertaining to running race meetings and betting in connection therewith in Canada. His investigation, which was foreshadowed by Sir Thomas White in the house of commons last session, will cover a wide field, and the evidence which he adduces and his report will furnish a base for legislation by parliament. Dr. Rutherfords inquiry will be a preliminary to the enactment of permanent legislation at the next regular session of parliament and before the time for the opening of the spring racing of 1920. It empowers the commission "to inquire into and concerning the conditions pertaining to running race meetings and betting in connection therewith in Canada, including, without limiting the generality of his powers, inquiry into and concerning: 1 The number, character and methods of operations of race meetings in each district or locality. 2 The amounts of capital invested in the several jockey clubs and nice tracks in each district. 3 The respective periods of time and the seasons during which race meetings have been or are customarily held in each year in each locality. 4 The general effect of such race meetings and betting upon the community or any particular class or classes of the. community. 5 The methods, devices and operations in connection with betting at the race meetings and at other places, and the extent to which and the methods by which betting is carried on legally or 6 The.i effects of racing upon the production of improved breeds of horses and thoroughbred stock. 7 Generally all other matters directly or indirectly connected with or relating to conditions surrounding race meetings and betting in connection therewith. And to submit with his report the, evidence to be taken in the case for the information of the governor-general in council, and, moreover, that said commissioner be authorized by his commission to have and exercise all the powers specified in and by Section I. I. of the inquiries act, 1900, as enacted by Chapter 2S of the statutes of Canada, 1912. The promise of investigation was made by Sir Thomas White on April 25 last, when A. E. Fripp, Ottawa, asked in the house of commons if it was the intention of the government to repeal the order-in-council prohibiting race course, betting for the duration of the war and six months thereafter. Sir Thomas White, replying in the negative, stated as follows: "It has been drawn to the attention of the government that horse racing has been extended beyond the limits in contemplation by parliament when legislation respecting the subject was enacted in 1912, and that conditions connected with betting on race courses in certain sections of Canada have been such as to cause grave public offense to the communities concerned. With a. view to remedying these conditions and dealing generally with the question of betting at race meetings in Canada, the government intends before the next session of parliament to make an inquiry with a view to the enactment of such legislation as may be deemed advisable in the public interest."
