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CANADIAN RACING INQUIRY BEGINS Only Witnesses Heard of the Opinion that Sport Produced. No Detrimental Effect in Community. OTTAWA, Out., September 23. The opening sitting of Dr. Rutherfords racing inquiry commission was si brief one, but apparently sufficed to cover local conditions. Tiie hearing was held in the court room, of the Dominion railway commission, of which Dr. Hulherforil is also a member. It was attended by Email groups of Ottawa peonle interested in racing as owners, and by the Connaught Park Jockey Club officers. 15. L. McCarthy. K. C, and AV. E. Rtiney. K. C, both of Toronto, appeared for the Canadian Racing Associations and the social service council respectively. Mr. Haney stated the position of those he represented as lxing opposed, not to juicing, but to any relaxation of the prohibition of butting for the sake of encouraging breeding, or for my other sake. He put in a copy of a letter sent by the Itev. Chas. I. Ingles of Toronto on hehnh: of the social service council to Sir Eobrt Rordei offering a mild protest against Dr. Rutherfords appointment as commissioner on the ground that lie had positive views in favor of the pari-mutiuM system as affording necessary encouragement tohorse breeding interests. This Was a reference to I Jr. Rutherfords evidence at the Miller bill committee of parliament in 1910. The letter had been acknowledged by the premiers secretary on account of Sir Roberts illness with the assurance that it would be laid before the cabinet. Mr. Haney did not call any witneses, but the Connaught Park Jockey Club put its president. Senator Rclcoiut, into the box to show the capital investment and results of operation of the club. Apart frcm its receipts from membership its revenue for the eight years of its existence was equal to only one and one-half per cent on its capital. The only other witnesses were Crown Attorney Ritchie, twenty-three years in office; Judge Mc-Doitgall. in whose district Connaught Park is located; Sheriff Wright of the same district with twenty-two years experience; Detective Aubrey Mac-Donald of tiie city police force, and Secretary T. V. Gorman The first-named four were unanimous that the occurrence of racing produced no detrimental effect on the community. On the contrary, they considered it beneficial as an addition to the available recreational facilities The commissioner will hold his next sitting in Montreal on Thursday.
