THE MIRROR "The Mirror's Reflection is Always an Attraction' Sf No. 42 STRATFORD, ONT., FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1924 Vol. 1 Chairman J. J. Mason Clears The Commission from Blame Says Local Hydro Commission Had Authority From the Powers That Be to Make Expenditures. The Chairman of the Public Util- ities Commission, J. J. Mason, ad- dtessed a meeting arranged by the Forum of the Chamber of Com- merce, Wednesday evening. Ex- mayor Gregscry acting in the capa- city of chairman. Mr. Mason reviewed the history of the Publi¢e Utilities Commission before and after the amalgamation of the two Commissions. He took the position of Commissioner through the influence of the then Mayor Dingman. There is consid- erable discussion at the present time, said the speaker, as to money spent on the Hydro Shop building without the consent of the Provin- cial Commission. This idea was set aside by letters read from the Provincial Commission, showing that they not only approved of the money having been spent, but sup- ervised the plans. No complaints were made by any one until 1923. It wasa small piece of business to bring the matter up now after the City Council passing the debentures, and not previously objecting, and it is not fair to make the accusations that have been made about public men, who have been classed as reprobates. If the mayor is not satisfied let him have a com- mission appointed. Say two other members along with Judge Barron. As tothe threatened disqualification of some of the commissioners, the local commissioners had not the slightest fears as everything was done with the sanction of the Pro- vincial body. It was a miscarriage of British justice to even suggest disqualification to men who had spent 16 years in the public service. There are only two ways the present need for money can be real- ized, One is through raising the rates and the other is by debentures, FRANK O'DONOGHUE Plumber and Electrician Prompt Attention to all orders Phone 1191 45 Argyle St. and if the council and mayor carry out the present policy it will be some job to carry on, and I think, said the speaker, that it would be much better to raise the money by debentures, rather than try to raise the money by increasing the rates at the present time and making you immediately carry the larger in- crease in rates, rather than spread the deficit over a period of years. The rates as set by the Hydro, Commission are not fair tothe small consumer. What should have been done was to have increased the large user in proportion to the smaller user. A 2c per killowatt would bring $66,000 extra revenue instead of $20,000 as the Hydrohad figured out. No. The rates are not fair and it is time that the municipal- ities had more to say in this regard and in the running of local affairs. The rates for both the purchasing and the selling price is set by the Provincial Commission, and while we have been paying $5.00 more per horse powerthan any other city in the province with the exception of St. Thomas, our rates have been lower than any other city. The domestic rates in Stratford are now about 1.7 per killowatt, but in his opinion the commercial rate should (Continued on page 4) Little One Laid At Rest. The funeral took place Tuesday afternoon of the eleven weeks old baby of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ban- neriman, 171 Queen street, and was conducted by Rev. F. Matheson. Lydia Doreen was one of a bright pair of twins, a boy aud girl. Much sympathy is expressed for the par- ents in their bereavement. The floral contributions were: A harp from father, mother, auntie and Jean Ferguson ; wreaths, from the C. N. R. roundhouse and the Sons of Scotland ; star from Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Martin; sprays from Mr. and Mrs. and Miss Cumming, Irene Miller, Mr. and Mrs. A. Tay- lor, Mr. and Mrs. P.K. Ingle, Mrs. C. Vere, Mrs. W. Turnbull, Mr. and Mrs. F. Smart, Ethel, Emily and family ; Miss Kemp, J. C. Ingle, Mr. and Mrs. G.-Knight and Emily, Mr. and Mrs. T. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. D. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. W. Peale, Mr. and Mrs. Hornsey, A. S. Dawes, Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Sage. } J. W. Snedden the New Vice-President Well-Known Stratford Man to Occupy Prominent Position. Those who know Mr. Snedden will not be surprised to learn that he was made vice-president of the new Canadian Railway System Fed- eration. He was elected vice-pres- ident at the convention held in Mon- treal from which Mr. Snedden has just returned today. The Mirror congratulates Mr. Snedden and is pleased to know that one of our worthy citizens has been appointed to this responsible position. Congratulations. The many friends of Miss Agnes Waddell, 110 John street, will be pleased to learn that she passed her pianoforte examinations of the Tor- onto Conservatory of Music held in this city recently. Miss Waddell promises to be a brilliant young pianist. First Trip To Toronto. The first one of the Marshall Transfer Co trucks to go from Strat- ford to Toronto this spring left here Tuesday morning at nine and got into Toronto at 4.30 o'clock. Over the phone Earl Marshall son of Ald D.R. Marshall said the roads were not too bad. Earl wouldn't call bad roads bad anyhow, rough roads are nothing to him. J.S.Woodsworth Will Speak. One of the coming events that 15 attracting special interest locally, is the meeting which is to held on April 12 in the city hallat 8 o'clock sharp when Mr. J. S. Woodsworth, Labor M. P. for Centre Winnipeg will give an interesting address. The Canadian Brotherhood of Rail. way Employees in conjunction with the Federated shop crafts intend holding a series of meetings along educational lines. Two commercial travellers met on the train and went into the dining car together. One of them picked up the menu, looked it over care- fully, then ordered a sirloin steak with hashed brown, celery, deep apple pie, cheese and coffee. His friend ordered "toast and tea." Hearing him give this very simple order his friend across the table asked; "What's the idea, Jake, on a diet."' |. 'No, on commission."' MAY OR BROWN SPEAKS ON CITY'S FINANCES Gives Summary Of The Various Municipal Bodies at Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. His Worship Mayor Brown, who adressed the Chamber of Commerce at the noon day luncheon Monday, prefaced his remarks by congratu- lating the members on the success. of the recent drive. The increased membership showingthat the organ- ization must be worth while in spite of the fact that it is frequently crit- icized. H. W.Strudley, who intro- duced the speaker, humourously said that he didu't like Mayor Brown's ideas, but the Chamber of Commerce always listened to its: speakers whether they liked what they said or not. To this Mayor Brown replied that he supposed Mr. Strudley had in mind the Public Utilities. The Mayor gave a very intelligent and comprehensive add- ress on the city finances and how the city funds were disposed of. There are, said the speaker 15 Al- dermen elected by the city at large. The cominittees are: No.1- Finance No.2:Board of Works. No. 3-Fire and Cemetery. No.4 Market and Relief. No.5 Industrial. No.6 Ag- ricultural. Communications should be sent to the city clerk, which were first brought before the com- mittees and afterwards disposed of at the council. The general debt of the city is $1,941,903.59,and the local improv- ment debt, $1,247,303.23. In the sinking fund against the general debt is 1,039;022. 54. The local improvement tures are $429 631.73. General debentures $149,249.87, Victory Bonds, $50,000. Bank Montreal, $100, 140,94, The Bonded Debt Is: Public School, 335,312.32. Collegiate Institute, 22,000. City of Stratford 668,858.40. Against this last item the city has in the sinking fund 191,485.81. The 1,943,766.72 is composed of, Water works, 310,096. Park, 80,000. (Continued on page 5) deben- Jas. Pequegnat & Son OPTICAL DEPARTMENT In charge of C.R. Nimmo, D. Opt. Phone 584 Registered Optometrist