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FRENCH MUTUEL REDUCTION Decline in Turnover Attributed to Increase of Private Independent Bookmaking. PARIS. France, August 2fl. Although tho official figures have not yet been published, the pari-mutuel turnover in France for the first six months of the year is likely, to show a decrease- Compared with the corresponding period of 1920. There are several reasons for this, and among the most important is the falling off in tlu ranks of those wlto had made fortunes during the war. Many of these people became regular frequenters of our race courses after the armistice, and the magnitude of their operations was a constant source of surprise to the old school of racing men. Some of the newcomers to the turf are now cither "down and out" or are following the sport in a greatly modified form, so far as betting is concerned. But perhaps the real reason of the decline in pari-mutuel transactions is to be found in the increase of private betting. The regulation which permits independent booktnaking between owners seems to become more and more elastic, and it is no secret to regular racegoers that over certain events as much money is involved between individuals as in the pari-tnutuels. There are also instances of men purchasing one or two selling platers in order that they may have au excuse for "laying the odds." Those who know their way about in the paddock can always place a substantial wager at a given price, and it is no doubt this growing practice has most to do with the lowering of the pari-mutuel operations" of which the authorities complain.
