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OPPOSITION T0 BRLL 00. | *mmmmmmmmmmimiizn mm restmemmess a LONG--DISTANCE | LINE compan'y | GRANTED A FRANCHISE. | n inennanss, | Which May Have to be Bought Back Later on--Must Spend $200,000 in _ Two Years--York Loan Reorganiza-- } tion Bill Withdrawn, £ * ' h semrmnndiy mmmnfrmmmmiens..... * l The Independent Lbng-distance Tcle-i phone Company's bill otcupied the time' of the Private Bills Committce to a great extent yesterday,' and 'the com-! mittee granted the company a franchise for which the Government' will have to| pay in case of expropriation in the fut--, |ure, only Chairman Carscallen, Messrs . MacKay, Bradburn and Auld voting to preserve the people's rights. f The sum of $200,000 must be spent within one year by the com iny, or the Bell Telephone Company wirlaretain the rignt to make exclusive contracts, and. this sum must be spent within two years or the franchise will be forfeited. Some. sharp passages occurred during the dis-- cussion, Mr. McDougall declaring that, undue influence had been used upon the committee, an insinuation which Mr. George Lynch--Staunton indignantly re-- pudiated on behalf of the Bell Telephone Company . Mr. James Bicknell, K.C., stated the objects of the bill to provide for the re-- organization of the York County Loan & Savings Company. He . represented certain shareholders in Hamilton and Toronto, but the shareholders generally had not been referred to.. Mr. W. T. White, representing the liquidators, the National Trust Company, opposed the bill, The York County Loan Company was clearly insolvent, he said, and if the proposed company was incorporated it would be insolvent, and a winding--up or-- der could be taken out against it next day. The wholesale scheme he consider-- ; ed impracticable, unfeasible and not to (be worked out. _ Mr. Bicknell withgrew the bill. 8 s I THE AUTOMOBILE BILL. ! Discussed Briefly in the Municipal Com-- ' mittee of the Legislature. The Municipal Committee of the Leg-- lislature held its last session yesterday 'and wound up with a hearty vote | of thanks to the Chairman, Hon. Mr. Hanna, moved and seconded respectively by Messrs, Preston (Brant) and Fisher. The automobile bill was discussed for | a few moments. Mr. McNaught thought | it unfair that the offence of failing tc | keep the number of an automobile clear , was put among the most serious of of | fehces. Forgetfulness on.the part of ar | automobilist to polish up the number might result in his being sent to jail.. | 'iame Chairman advised that any further| | discussion of the measure or any pro---- posed amendments should take place or: be moved when the bill reaches the | House, and the matter was dropped. No douw. amendments wul be moved in the. House.