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ffage Eight THE COLBORNE EXPRESS THURSDAY, MARCH 31st, 1921 ' (The Marora Herald) The question of a more equitable distribution of Hydro-Electric power is one of the most important problems facing the Ontario Legislature at this session. tJnder the present Hydro-Electric Commission the system is being operated almost entirely for the benefit of the large centres and thc price to small villages and rural sections is almost prohibitive. The working out of rates also shows a differ- ence that appears very unfair. Po instance the line from Healy Falls ti Deloro runs through Marmora Villag. using the streets without giving any compensation in any way. The rat( at Deloro is about $26.00 per h.p which is mighty high considering the years Deloro has used the power and compared with the price in many other places and yet to tap the line ruimng through the village and obtain power locally the rate per h.p. is $40.00. The following from' the Farmers Sun will express the opinion of Don't Add Another Burden to the Taxpayer's Load Ontario's Burden Public Debt - - $1,153,000,000 (Federal, Provincial and Municipal) Annual Taxation - $186,000,000 (Federal, Provincial and Municipal) Ontario's Drink Bill - $36,000,000 (Year previous to ProvincialProhibition) THE Importation of "Booze" is adding dead weight to the heavy burden of taxation now borne by the people of Ontario. Importation of "Booze" is adding to the cost of law enforcement. Importation of "Booze" is adding to the cost of jail maintenance. Importation of "Booze" is adding to the cost of hospitals and asylums. Importation of "Booze" is adding to the cost of living. Importation of "Booze" is bedevilling the administration of the Ontario Temperance Act, and defying the temperance sentiment of the province. 3 do not often agree with I ri nittee of the Legislature was sc.iie time ago to report on I ■' equitable sysl iiydre ) the r 3 of the province. They made the! port but apparently the power Boss of the Province is determined that it will prove abortive. One man says what power shall be. generated, where it shall be distributed, who shall pay for it and what he shall pay. Sir Adam Beck is the political and Power Boss of this pro- Hall in its palmiest days never had such power, never had such a subservient press at its back or possessed such an organiastlon as the Hydro Knight possesses-. The province appoints a Royal Com missioner to investigate Radial railways. Beck openly flaunts it and proceeds to carry on a propanganda in opposition--financing it from the funds oi the Hydro-Electric Commission, an in.-titution formed and financed by the people of this province. The Government then appoints a committee of the Legislature to investigate and report upon an equitable distributon of power for the Province. This committee composed of two D. F.O. members, a Conservative, a Liberal and a Labor representative, brought in an unanimous report recommending that a charge of $2 per h.p. be levied on large urban users in or-dei to provide a service for the rura: districts. Beck goes up and down the country opposing the proposition tid even using the Premier's promise, ■ alleged-promise, that no such legis-tion will be enacted. Not content ith this Beck forces the Government > allow him address the Legislature. Why this one-sided action? Why is Beck always consulted, always refer-always allowed the last word? Does the Government regard him as I ■? Are they committed to I ? Are we to infer that-Beck can swing the Big Stick and our | iment trembles? about time we had a shi ird to this Beck bus irk that he has done m Hydro development but the us of any man in any walk of when his constructive v. or i l Spring Suits and Overcoats Men's Tweed and Cheviot Coats, in Chesterfield for men of conservative taste, or young men's slip-on,.all shades,......$15.00 to $30.00 Young Men's Gabardine Coats, form-fitting, a practical coat, made in belted style, in fawn shade, for Fajl or Spring wear. Men's and Young Men's Ready-made Suits. Tailored-to-Measure Suits, guaranteed to fit and to give satisfaction-. 300 Samples to choose from. Blue Serge Suits, made-to-measure, at $30.00 any style. A Full Range of Boys' Suits and Light Spring Overcoats Men's Overalls, Work Shirts, Work Boots, SPECIAL--Men's Fansy Hose, blue, brown and black .................3 pairs f°r $1 .00 Men's Hats, Caps, Underwear, Trunks, Suitcases FENTON & SMITH This agita have been assumed by the municipalities. Those obligations would never have been assumed without the financial backing of the Province. If the small towns, villages anu rural districts are not to be served then the Provincial guarantee to the large municipalities must be removed. Beck's idea of a square deal is to give a few large urban centres power for a song and to charge small towns and rural communities all the traffic will bear. Why should Toronto get power for $14.50 and Oakville, although nearer Niagara, pay three or four times as much? Why should Brantford get power at a quarter or third less than Burford, a few miles distant, or London get its juice at a fraction of that paid by Glencoe just outside the city? The water powers of the Province belong to all the people. The expenditures for Chippewa development ($2,000,000 per month) will be a tax burden on all the people. Why. then, should urban centres get all the power? Beck has given them over 99 per cent; and the rural parts less than one-half of one per cent. Are the rural people to be like Lazarus and contentedly take the crumbs that fall from the table of the rich and powerful? Are we to be satisfied with what is grudgingly handed us by the Autocrat? In October, 1919, the people of this Province rose in their might and down out a reactionary Government. Ukc We I fortunately they left in the greatest much for | autocrat of all and unless he is put in usefulness j his proper place the rural people will life ceases ! be in a worse condition than ever. [ turns to Premier Drury wanted to play fail with Beck and his associates on the r rates is Hydro Commission, but tho latter are . not only not playing fair with the people. Mr. people of Drury gave them a free hand to go , will help] ahead and loyally supported them in ding the their desire to rush the Chippewa io bitterly I plant'through to completion. Beck's j reply- lis in effect: "We will deliver using the this" pDwesr where we please, charge ; at all the I wbiit *e- please, and do as we please, j e 'Hydro j The Hydro-Electric Commission of! ' Ontario is pretty much a one man t concern. Beck is carrying on a cam-1 paign to further his own schemes but'; we Hear nothing from the Government's representative. The Hon. Dougal Carmichael, representative of | the Farmer-Labor Government on the Commission, should do more than he is doing to present the rural phase of the question. Otherwise if the Government does not get a larger share»<of co-operation from the Hydro-Eledliic Commission, . they must fiowpwelefg and put in men not only amenable to reason but with the rural viewpoint. The day is past when a single autocrat can thwart the will of the whole Province. The report made by the special committee of the Legislature may be modified somewhat, but the principle laid down" is sound . Whether the special tax of two dollars or one dollar, is a matter of internal economy, but it is absolutely imperative that something be done this vear to furnish the people in the rural communities with a larger proportion of power than they have been getting. Not only are the farmers seeking this but the country villages and small towns are one with the rural people in their de-land for cheaper, and more power. Grafton West End Garage We have Secured a First-Class Mechanic from the City for Repairing Cars Agents for Gray-Dort and Ford TIRES OILS We also handle Elictric Light Plant for Farmers SABINS & MIKEL Phone 49 Grafton, Ont LAKEPORT GENERAL STORE C. A. MILLS & CO. SUCCESSORS TO C SOUTHON & SOMS WILL CARRY FULL LiNES OF GROCERIES, DRY GOODS, BOOTS AND SROES FLOUR AND FEED, WALL PAPERS, AT LOWEST PRICES PAINTS, ETC. MR. COFFEE WILL CONTINUE THE ROUTE AS USUAL WITH THE TRUCK TRIAL ORDER SOLICITED TERMS--CASH OR PRODUCE C A. MILLS & CO., Lakeport Opera House - COLBORNE Saturday, April 2 The Feature Will Be Broadway' Cow by William Desmond The Third ThirdLye *W7/WARNER OLAND Episode amd EILEEN P£RCY F Don't Miss It ! t Will Run 12 Weeks More Wire Fencing On Hand At Eaton Prices Agricultural Implements Buggies, Waggons^ etc. JOHN REIVE King St. Colborne British-Canadia tl Pathe News Showing Pictures of A 11 Parts of the World Comedy -Trottii | .' hi si 1 irl ey LIVELY MUSIC DL RING THE SHOW ADMISSION--Main Fioor 35c Gallery 25c Children 15c DOORS OPEN AT 7 30 BEGINS AT 7 45 SHARP SHOW rPY «A EVENNG Complete Cha ngf* of Pictures SAi Lit & ' To 11^ WINNIPEG, Ur' BRANDON, REGiNA, SASKATOON, ALGARY, EDMONTON, PRINCE RUPERT, VANCOUVER, VICTORIA THE NATIONAL" LEAVES TORONTO 11.00 P.M. DAILY via O.T., T. & N.O. and C.H.Rys. via Parry Sound and Sudbury Leave Toronto 8.45 p.m. Daily except Sunday STANDARD TRANS-CONTINENTAL TRAIN EQUIPMENT Tickets and full Information from nearest Canadian National or Grand Trunk RaHway Agent.