Lake Erie & N.R. Railway to use hydro power

Hon. Adam Beck secures important customer—A new transformer station to be built between Brantford and Paris.

(Special Despatch to The Globe.)

Ottawa, March 28.—Of unusual significance and itnerest to Ontario and the development of hydro-electric power project is the subsidy, finally passed by Parliament today, to the Lake Erie & Northern River Railway. The subsidy is the regular one and covers project lines from the town of Galt to Port Dover, some fifty-eight miles, and from Paris, situated on the former Galt-Port Dover route, to Ayr, some ten miles.

Hon. Adam Beck, Chairman of the Hydro-electric Commission, was in Ottawa this week in conference with Hon. Frank Cochrane, Minister of Railways, and other members of the Government. The Globe understands that the conference had relation to certain projected Ontario electric lines, of which this was the first, which are applying to the Government for aid. It is learned that the Minister of Power successfully sought the co-operation of the Federal Administration in the recognition of his power policy in its dealing with subsidy-seekers. Mr. Beck is believed to have taken the ground that in cases where Federal or Provincial aid is extended from the public purse the public should reap reciprocal advantages by securing the aided railway as a customer of the Provincial power service.

In the case of the present subsidy the result to the power project will permit the Hydro-electric Commission to proceed with the erection of a new large transformer station between Brantford and Paris, and will also contribute to the lessening of power prices throughout the district. it will be remembered that it was the original intention of the commission to locate a station at this point, but the ultimate failure of the city of Brantford to become a customer resulted in the abandonment of that purpose. The advent of the Lake Erie & Northern Company as a customer insures the erection of the station, while each new corporate consumer added under the arrangement made with the Government will mean a general reduction in the price of power to all consumers. The figures of this reduction have not, of course, yet been officially estimated.

In presenting the subsidy to the House, Hon. Mr Cochrane said the proposed railway was designed to open up a good agricultural country and tap the iron deposits to the north.

Hon. Mr. Charlton supported the proposal. The road would open up a rich agricultural section which needed railway facilities, and would do much to benefit Port Dover, one of the most important points on the north shore of Lake Erie, and the improving of its harbor.

Hon. Mr. Graham also concurred. He asked concerning the present condition of the harbor at Port Dover, and was told that it was in a dilapidated shape. There was a $50,000 grant for its improvement, and it was expected to finish the work in two years.

Railways: L.E. & N.Ry.

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