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After six weeks of sensations, the Public Accounts Committee of the Legislature formally closed up its business for the 1924 session yester- day afternoon at 3 o'clock. It pre- sented a report to the Legislature which suggested "vigorous action" against former Assistant Provincial Treasurer Matthews and his step- daughter's husband, L. C. Mason; "consideration" of the cases ot those in the public service who have re- ceived loans from persons benefit- ing by profits on Provincial busi- ness. and "appropriate action" in the case of Alexander Ross and G. M. Hart. who admitted giving incorrect evidence before the committee. Col. Currie Objects. When the committee met to con- sider the report, which was drafted by the Chairman during the noon adjournment, J. A; Currie objected to the wording ot the report that the Government consider the case ot omcialtg who had accepted a loan trom D. K. Rldout, and moved to substitute the words "that action be taken." His motion, however, was lost on a vote of 9 to 4, and the Chairman's wording sustained. Protection for Hart. Former Minister of Public Works Produces Some of His Bank Books, But Re. fers Committee to Peter Smith for Information Concerning Provincial Securities Co. Deals BIGGS SHADOWED ON DETROIT TRIP In the case of Hart, who said his first evidence before the committee was "pure fabrication," Mr. Currie reminded the committee that he had been promised protection, and the Chairman said that the words "ap- propriate action" covered the Cir- cumstances of that case. A. Belanger suggested, and the committee concurred. that there be incorporated a paragraph stating the committee's regret that Mr. Matthews did not appear. When the same member said he thought the matter of wording of the paragraph covering civil servants accepting loans out of profits was too big to be considered at that late hour, Mr. Currie asked if he desired them to remain in the service. Mr. Seituurer----No. Mr. Currie-Then have the cour- age of your convictions. Thinks Police Were Clumsy. After Six Weeks of Sus- tained Sensations Probers Present Report Hon. D. Carmichael passed a criti- cal comment upon the Provincial Police. who had let Matthews es- cape. stating: "It was a piece of clumsy police work to let Matthews get away." MISSING LINK MONE Y NOT IN MASON'S BANK IS A UDITOR IS FINDING After six ---Regret Matthews and Mason Were Not Pro. duced and Suggest Vigorous Police Action Fiday, April tty "r.. During the morning sitting the committee had a report from A. E. Nash of the firm of Clarkson & Co. on the account of J. Cooper Mason with the Central Canada Loan and Savings Company, and he stated there was no trace of the mysterious 325.000 cheque having gone into dr. Whittaker toidiiiiro, old him. M. J. Haney ha he Parliament Buildings $25,000 Not in Mason's A: ' When someone suggested the in. clusion in the evidence of some men- tion of the Aemiiius Jarvis & Co, deal the Chairman explained that there were delicate questions of civil law involved in it which it would not do to mention before committee. Mr. Sinclair expressed the opinion that some mention ought to he in- eluded of the 1919 loan. which pro- lily) the basis for considerable dis,. mansion in committee of the disposi- ion of $42,400---t2'sno0 of which. dr. Whittaker tpstifloeq I n In" "Your committee desires to draw attention ot the House to the fact .that it has been shown that certain otfteiala in the public service of the Province have received certain gifts, , donations or loans from corporations or persons who have benefited by i way of commissions or profits on the "ale of securities to the Province ot ; Ontario, and your committee recom- I, mertda that these cases be considers ,'ed by the Government. - - that account. One - cheque, for $1,800, was traced there. however. . The-committee's report. presented to the House in the afternoon. was as follows: Text of the Report. "Your committee has had pro- duced before it certain vouchers, ac- counts, correspondents and particu- lars in connection with the public accounts of the Province of Ontario for the tuCal year ending October M, 1923, which it has carefully ex- amined and considered. "Evidence was given before your committee by Alexander Ross and G. M. Hart which they afterward admitted to the committee was a fabrication. and it is recommended that these facts be submitted to the proper ottieerts of the Crown for appropriate action. The Rddout Transaction. "Your committee has considered the evidence and facts in connection with the sale of $10,000.000 Treaa- ury bills, Series 'L,' to D. K. Ridout, and finds that a. profit of approxi- mately $100,000 was made on this sale under circumstances that lead your committee to believe a (t0rre- spondingly heavy loss was made by the Province. _ . .. "Your committee has investiol gated the purchase of succession- duty-tree bonds from George It. Harris. using the name ot the Pro- vincial Securities Company, and your committee submits that the whole circumstances were fraudu- lent, and have resulted in a very heavy loss to the Province of On- tario. "The said George R. Harris 3.1002 sold securities to the iiiiivfiiil through various companies and cor-I porations he was connected with,; under similar circumstances. which' resulted in the Province paying ex-i cessive prices greatly beyond the market price of such securities. Made Profit of "25.229. "Messrs. Clarkson & Co. have re- ported to your committee that the said George R. Harris. through the said Provincial Securities Company and other corporations, made a protlt of 8126.229 on these sales. "Your committee has also in- jvestigttted the transaction of the IProvince with G. N. Hart, and the , evidence shows that there were very grave irregularities, involvins the loss to the Province of approxint.hte- I.. on: mm In nnnnection therewith.. "Your committee has vetstitrated the transaction Province with G. N. Hart evidence shows that there , grave irregularities, tnvot loss to the Province of app ly $25,000 in connection t1 - - ---i__-- "rho rtn" -V "itsis Treasury muted a. statemei " 0 In uuuucu.w.. Tri-"- Prmury Department sub- statement to the effect that - v. -v.'~oull Haney had taken to Account. the dispogi- of which, l.-C. Nason