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FRENCH NATIONAL MUTUELS Bill Before Chamber of Deputies to Increase Enormous Betting Revenues. Thp existence of the mutuel system of betting in Franco was never more secure than at the present day. The phenomenal increase in tne volume or turf speculation has resulted in such an increase of revenue to the government that any attempt to revive bookmnking would be wasted effort. As a matter of fact, there is now in prospect an elaborate scheme to le laid before the chamber of deputies which, if passed into law, would make the government a national bookmaker on an unprecedented scale. It is nothing more nor less than the legalizing of betting for 8top-at-home enthusiasts; or, as it is termed in England, the starting price business. Latterly, this has developed to enormous proportions throughout the country. The police are quite unable to cope with the so-called evil. The projected legislation on the subject would institnte branch pari-mutuel offices all over the country. The stay-at-home punter would then be able during his lunch hour to call at the nearest pari-mutuel bank and transact his business, much in the same way as at the savings bank. For the backer the scheme is splendid. To back his fancy in an open manner and to have the assurances that true odds and safe payment are guaranteed is an ideal position for the stay-at-home punter. The progress of this bill will Ik; followed with interest. Paris correspondence of London. Sportsman.
