THE MIRROR Interesting Article On Electrical Development In Ontario Presented by A. Skidmore to The Mirror. (Continued from last week ) * Through a simple agreement, condi- . tiens which make for peace and pros- perity, and the absence of those who so often lead to disastrous war have for a cntury reigned over these great inland waters, whose commerce, con- ducted for the benefit of the States and nations of Europe and America, . Yivals that of the Suez Canal or over the Mediterranean Sea, and with a result fore-shadowed in these words by President Monroe, in his communi- cation to the Senate, commending the proposed agreenent, "'In order to avoid collision and save expense." Forts which had been erected at sal- ient points on either side of the fakes and rivers dividing the United States from Canada, which, but for ~ this agreement, would in the natural course of events, have been enlarged, increasingly garrisoned, and provided with modern implements of destruc- tion at lgeexepnseaetaoinshrdlutaoin tion at large expense, have remained -as substantially as when the agree- ment Was made, or now constitute but interesting or picturesque ruins, and the great cost of constructing and maintaining through a long series of years, naval armements of ever in- creasing power has been avoided. The province has further enlarged the scenic value of the great Niagara Fails and Cataract by establishing at the Falls proper, the most wonderful spectacle of illumination for the vis. itors and thousands of tourists. This is accomplished by the use of power- -ful electric search lights playing on the falling water and producing a light and color effect rivalling any scheme heretofore dreamed of. The cataract is thus a great aesthet- ic asset of the people of the world, but its perpetuity has been threatened be- cause it is also a great economic as- set of the bordering nations. _The flow of the river at mean stage is 222,000 cubic feet per second, at low stage 176,000 cubic feet. The descent of this stream at the Falls and in the rapids above them affords a theoretic water power equal to nearly 4,000,000 horsepower, and it _is estimated that three-fourths of this is available. The annual] value of the power must be reckoned in millions of pounds sterlinf, at least, and pos- sibly in tens of millions. Evidences point to the age of the ters Gorge as being 25, 000 years old The electrtical development of On- tario cannot be zalled to mind without associating with it the name of Sir Adam Beck. The Premier of Ontario on January 16, 1926, said in Parlia- ment, "As a devoted Canadian, a loyal and patriotic citizen of the Empire, a keen and true sportsman, a public ad- ministrator wtih extraordinary con- structive ability and zeal, and, above Adam Beck's career is worthy of emu- all a man of unblemished honor, Sir lation, and also adds lustre to the re- cord of the many and distinguished - Mien who have occupied seats in this house." Sir Adam died on the 15th of Aug- ust, 1925, having been the chairman of the Hydro Electric Power Commis- sion of Ontario from its inception in 1906, until his death. He was suc- ceeded by the Chairman, Canadian Section, International JPoint Commis- sion of Waterways, C. A. Magrath, M.ELLC. . . Sir Adam Beck, Chairman of the Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario in a statement by him issued in 1914, said, "There are certain ele- ments which must lie at the founda- tion of any movement such as that carried forward by the co-operating municipalities of the Province of On- tario, if such a movement is to suc- ceed." First of all there must be a genu- ine desire on the part of the citizens to have electrical energy, or what- ever the commodity may be supplied to them under such conditions and circumstances as would prevail under public ownership. : It is equally important that the men who undertake to found a public own- ed enterprise should be responsible citizens of good business standing and character who will inspire and hold public confidence. Courage and per- severdnce are other qualities which will be required by those who are standing sponsor for the new under- taking. The necessary financial resources should be supplied by the people who will themselves benefit by the under- taking. The investment by citizens of their own money, in a local public- ly owned enterprise, of itself arouses and assists to maintain interest. Technical men of.sound engineer- ing, financial and other training must be engaged, who will, with singleness of purpose, gtaher the facts and as- sist in forming sound judgments, based upon the data secured. Later their service will be required in guard- ing, directing and operating the pub- lic owned utility. Finally, throughout all the procéed- ings, the general public must be tak- en into confidence and kept adequate- ly informed. As opportunity offers, the citizens should be educated to un- derstand the general character of the various problems. In a word, unless there be a desire on the part of the citizens of a com- muity to proceed on a basis of public ownership, unless there be respons- ible and qualified public men ready to make sacrifices to achieve the re sults desired, unless competent tech: nical assistance be employed, afd un- less the people themselves are ready to back the project with their finan- cial resources, no programme of pub- lic ownership can be expected to be satisfactorily initiated and carried for- ward to a successful conclusion. Keeping these principles in mind some of the achievements of the Hy- dro Electric Power Commission of Ontario will now be described, and, as these are set forth, the pertinence of the general comments which have just been made will be apparent. It has become widely recognized that the growing dependence of the Province of Ontario upon _ outside sources for its fuel supply consti- tuted a menace which it was greatly desired to remove, especially insofar as the coal requirements for the pro- duction of power were concerned. A number of public spirited citi- zens impressed with the urgent ne- cessity of utilizing, the large water power resources. of the _ province, more particularly Niagara Falls, as a means of largely eliminating the use of coal for generation of power in Ontario, applied themselves to the so- lution of the problem. It was in 1900, that a special com mittee of the Toronto Board of Trade made a report directinfi attention to the possibilities of securing an abun- dant supply of Hydro Electrical En- ergy from the Niagara River. The interest manifested in the pow- er problem increased, and was great- ly stimulated by means of gublic meetings. Appeals were made to the Provnicial Government for legislation to enable municipalities to take ac- tion, and finally as a result of the general movement on behalf of cheap- er Hydro Electrical Energy, the Gov- ernment of Ontario provided the means by which a commission could be appointed by interested municipal-- ities to investigate and report upon | questions envolving the supply and. distribution of power. In 1908 by-laws were passed by thirteen municipalities authorizing their officials to make contracts with the commission for a supply of elec- trical power from Niagara Falls. After much study of various pro- posals for securing the necessary pow- er for distribution to the municipali- 'ties, it was concluded best to initiate this municipal enterprise by purchas- ing power from existing companies which had extensive plants erected at Niagara Falls. Consequently in 1908, the Commis sion, on behalf of the municipalities entered into a contract with the On- tario Power Company for the pur- chase of electrical energy up to @ maximum of 100,000 horsepower at a price of $9.40 per horsepower-year until a load of 25,000 should be reached, after which the price would be $9. 00 per horsepower: year. (To be continued next week) -- Skates Sharpened while you wait on double grinder, oil stone - finish. Open Evenings. W. E. McCARTHY Phone 781J. Wellington St. A traveller drove into a Western Ontario city the other day and asked. aman in front of the hotel if he would. "Sir," said "I am the mayor of the city." . "Oh that's all right," said the watch his car for him. the man, traveller, "You look honest." N. W. SHANK' GREAT MONEY SAVING SHOE SALE STILL GOING STRONG Enthusiastic Buyers have been crowding our Store ever sirce the Sale stzrtec SPECIALS FOR SATURDAY ONLY THINK OF THIS BARGAIN 123 pairs women's tan and black Oxfords and pumps, Goodyear welt, high grade and Shoes that sold at $7.50 and good style. $8.00-- are startling prices as well. A STARTLING PRICE When you see the exceptional values we are offering in men's Oxfords you'll say they $6.50 and $7.00 Oxfords, special for Saturday-- $2.95 25% OFF ALL TRAVELLING GOODS DON'T MISS THESE BARGAINS N. W. SHANK THE FOOT COMFORT STORE $2.99 horsepower' Humor Hits in Little Bits By "Doc" Traffic Cop--"Yes, this is a one-way street and there's no two Ways about at: * * 8 The small boy who shows off most oi his goodness the week before Christmas is no worse than the man who reserves the most of his piety for Sunday. e * * Did you get my check? Yies, twice. Once from you and ouce irom the bank. 'é * * * Motorist (with new car) I'm ecer- tain we've broken a back spring. His wife--Never mind, dear it's ight underneath, nobdy wil notice it. x * * * Our idea of an optomist is the fel- low who prepares to take his car out with two rear tires all shot, a big gar- age bil loverdue and this year's lic- sence not yet secured. * Eo * It is reported that the big rival Chicago beer barons are again at lag- erheads. * * * Tourist--I certainly had the right of way when this man ran into me and yet you say I was wrong. Village Constable -- You certainly were, because his father is mayor, his brother chief of police and I go with his sister. ; * * * Bert: Do you know a good cure for a cold? Alf: "Ave you got a bottle of rum at 'ome? Bert: No. Alf, Well, it ain't much good me tellin' you then. a * bd Wife: You've never worn that tie I bought you for Christmas. Hubby--No, dear, I am waiting for a warm day so that I can leave off my overcoat and muffler and show it off to real advantage. : * * * Mrs. Newlywed: The grocer didn't have any dog biscuits but I got some- thing just as good. LAMPS Left over from Christmias. | All Prices on Boudoir and Table Lamps Reduced. Make nice birthday presents ---see them today. L. COOK Newlywed: What is it? Mrs, N.: Animal crackers. * * * Say it with flowers, Say it with sweets, Say it with kisses, Say it with eats, Say it with jewelry, Say it with drink, But always be careful Not to say it with ink. Four weeks after Christmas And all my clothes through Not a dollar is stirring-- No, nary a sou! I've searched all the corners Of each pocket with care, But no! Dear old Santa Got all that was there. * * * And that's that! Radio Supreme Higel Super Neutrodyne Either all electric or batteries. For clarity, tone, vol- "ume and _ selectivity-- selectthe HIGEL Bill Keil 201 Ontario St. Phone 140 , ! j } } ; ' ' "OR. S. H. SUTTER .D.S; D;D.3, DENTAL SURGEON Specialist in Prosthetic Dentistry Majestic Apartments, 93 Downie { OFFice 602 PHONES (RESIDENCE 1051w Save Fuel - Prevent Fires. -. Get More. Heat - Sootfo Does it SOOT AND SMOKE DISPENSING PRODUCTS FOR FACTORY, HOME AND PLANT JAMES K. MYERS 51 Downie St. Phone 162 ---- om Peter & Sylvester Will do your Repairs in Down&Fleming Funeral Service Rooms 94 Ontario St. Plumbing Phone 314 Electric Phone 210 12 Ontario MI Heating MR. DOWN __ Tel, 308 MR. FEEMING Tel. 311 Me RULLIttiitetittl itistiiiit ! Phone 1580 Residence 2198 FRANK P. GIBBS Chartered Accountant 102 Ontario St. Stratford, Ont. (Beacon Building) EZO Will positively relieve the worst case of ECZEMA LU STANDARD DRUG STORE LU COAL ia COKE G. W. HEAGY 198 Nelson Street Phone 176 ty O A L FOR CORNS & CALLOUSES ANTHRACITE COAL sage sh kb dete Aes POCAHONTAS, Egg Size ALLOUS - OF Red Jacket, E i Sol » Egg Size A 25c box of Callous - Off will dissolve olvay Coke the hardest corn or callous without leav- Cc rni h c l C ing the slightest appearance of rawness. ornis oa oO. On sale at drug and shoe store or sent Phone 44 direct post paid for 25c from laboratery. Dr. Johnston's Callous-6ff Company Keep Your Heels Straightened in 1928 Try us with your next repair job. Superior Shoe Repair I1g Ontario Phone 94! STRATFORD, ONT. 110 Downie St. Phone 175 aM se The Quinte Gold Mines, Ltd. Authorized Capital $1,000,000 Justa few days ago our mining superintendent re- ported that at the 200 ft, level ore is to be found in solid masses, and stock selling at only $1.09 per share at present. An opportune'time to buy. We have also a limited amount of stock in the Kingston McRae Mines Ltd. Get in the ground floor at 18c. D. A. McCLOY, -- Mining Hines Plumber and Electrician Rooms 3 and 4 Gordon Block, Stratford Telephone 2367