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mow. PROBE I [mo CHARGES SOME WARM EXCHANGES Commission to Investigate Allegations Made by Dew- 7 art on Floor of House Member for Southwest To- ronto Attacks Provincial License Inspector Mr. H. H. Dewart, ICC., Liberal member for SAV. Toronto. threw a bomb into the Government ranks yesterday: He dealt at great length with the methods pursued in the en- forcement of the Ontario Temper- ance Act by the License Board, and referred in particular to what is known as the Homer case. He in- ferred that Chief License Inspector Ayearst was a member of the Em- ployers' Detective Agency, which had, in five years, been paid $44,000 for work by the department, and charged that Mr. Ayearst had shared in moneys paid to private de.. tectives while they were on the pay- roll of the Government and in the service of private agencies; also that he had deposited the moneys in a special account. While the Government, early in the evening, declared that Mr. Dew- art would have to formulate his charges to have a committee of the House appointed to investigate, just prior to adjournment at 11.20 the Prime Minister, Sir William Hearst, announced that a Judicial Commis- sion would be appointed to probe any charges against Mr. Ayearst or any membeer of the License Board or any officer of the department. Premier's Statement. Sir William said, in making the announcement: "In a speech delivered in this House this afternoon the honorable member tor Southwest Toronto (seat A) made certain charges and insinuations involving the honor and integrity of officers of the Govern- ment in connection with the admin- istration of the Ontario Temperance Act, in what is known as the Homer case, and in addition made the toi- lowing charge specifically against Chief License Inspector Ayearst: 'If Mr. Ayearst is examined before a committee of the House he will have to admit that he has profited by the earnings of private detectives himself, and that while private de- tectives were in the pay and em- ploy of a private detective agency doing other work they were retained and employed by him and in the pay of the department, while he, Mr. Ayearst. received a portion ot the earnings of these men, which they received from the private de- tective agency.' "Upon being offered by the Attor- ney-General a full and complete op- portunity for investigation of the said charges, the hon. member ne- glected to avail himself of that of- fer. The Government does not pro- pose to leave room for doubt in the mind of any person inside or out- side of this House with reference to the truth or falsity of the charges made. The Government therefore proposes that the said charges shall be submitted to a judicial commis- sion for investigation and report. The Government will include in that commission power and authority to investigate any other charges against Mr. Ayearst or against any member of the License Board OI? any official or officer of the License Department which the hon. mem- ber for Southwest Toronto or any 'i7'ii"fii7i"i', MARCH 21.73519. "tther member of the House may de- sire should be submitted, provided the proper particulars regarding such charges are furnished to the Government so that they may be in- cluded in the commission. The Gov- ernment has no reason to believe that the official in question has been guilty ot wrongdoing, but should he or any other officer ot the Govern- ment be found guilty of misconduct he will be forthwith discharged from the public service and made to an- .wer for his offences so far as the laws of this Province or the crimi- nal law of Canada may apply thereto." Debt to "Righteous Dead." Mr. Dewart at. the outset referred briefly to the Budget. The large bank balance of $1,395,000 did not mean a real excess of revenue. he pointed out. There was nothing in that statement that makes such a revenue surplus possible. A bank balance and special deposits of $5.- 000,000 did not mean a surplus of that amount in the bank. But even that. amount was on October 31 last, and it would be interesting. he said, ~o know what the amount was on December Ill, HHS. He contended that the financial statement should Show the details of the profit taxes or $863.000 credited to the Depart- ment of bands. Forests and Mines. Then it would he seen how much of thc tittrplus of $1,800,000 was due to the insistence of the [liberals upon "the nickel industry paying something more than the paltry taxation in which the Prime Minis- _ had without legal authority agreed." if the sucvession duties to»: had without legal :tutnority agreed." If the sum-ession duties had not been boosted by a few rich men dying; the Provincial Treasurer might haves had to noologize for an unexpected deficit. The Government owcd much to the "righteous dead." end he said it was surprising the Hovernment did not introduce a bill to "USIerize a larger number ot our n'eutthy men. since succession duties "(n-m such an important portion of UV iv untu'mi receipts." Thrs "nit-k9! and other war-prof- homing: corporations" were next te- I'urred to by the speaker. "I regret that in so far as those profiteering irrsitilutions arr converned there has been no suggestion that they will be made In contribute to the "men! they should contribute." 'le- Mann! Mr. Dewart. "or that in so far as they are concerned these com- 'winos will be regulated in the in- mrcst of the people." tuettrss Stock Yard Abuses. Mr. Dewart next turned his amen- Hon for a few moments to the high cost of living. He regretted there was no pronosition from the Gov- eriimenl to take over the Union Stock Yards. which. he declared, were controlled by the Swifts. Re- ferring to the condition in the l'niLed States. Mr. Dewart said that the Federal Committee had recom- mended taking over the stock yards, packing houses and cold-storage warehouses. Herbert Hoover. Am- :rican Food Controller, last Septem- her said that stock yards should be entirely disassociated from the con- trol ot the packers. Discussing the local situation. he said that the Live Stock Association was composed ot ten members, who controlled the sale of all cattle and received commissions of $1 a head and $17 a carload on all cattle con- signed to the Union Stock Yards. "You will.find that no man can sell his cattle without. putting his deal through a. commission man. He has to pay for the feed to the commis- sion man, whether he uses it for his cattle or not." Six or eight years ago it was possible to get into an association for $5, whereas it now 'cost $1,000 for a ticket to the Live Stock Association. "because of the profits these men have been able to make by their close corporations and 'heir. agreements." Farmers. he said, had had to hire a man to look after their interests. When such a state of affairs Were found to.exist he believed it was evidence that there must be some sot! of an agree- ment. Ascension of Packers. "Therefore it is up to the Attor- ney-General and the omeialt, of the Province to so into the matter and see that we get relief." declared Mr. Devan: emphatically. It a man wanted to sell his cattle he had to