Wants early action on viaduct issue.

President of Downtown Association strongly endorses conference.

Eager for settlement.

Whatever may be the opinion of the Downtown Association as to the method employed for the cleaning up of the Toronto waterfront situation it is at least heartily in favor of immediate action. In connection with the announcement recently made by Hon. George P. Graham, Minister of Railways, that a conference of all parties concerned would be held in Toronto on the return of Sir Henry Thornton from the West, Lieut.-Col. K. R. Marshall, President of the Downtown Association, has written to the Minister, as follows:

"We strongly endorse your suggestion to call a conference in Toronto of all parties, to viaduct agreement, with a view of arriving at a speedy solution of the present intolerable situation on the Esplanade and in regard to a the new station."

In view of recently expressed statements, it is expected that, when the conference is held, the Downtown Association will urge that the 1913 agreement, which calls for the building of the viaduct, be abrogated, with the consent of all signatories. While no official opinion has been given, the prevailing impression in business circles is that the association favors the bridge plan as opposed to the viaduct.

On the other hand, the Board of Trade, the District Trades and Labor Council, the Central Council of Ratepayers' Associations and the major public bodies, as well as many influential citizens, have definitely stated that they believe that the viaduct offers the only permanent solution to the waterfront problem, and that no compromise or other scheme would be adopted.

It is apparent that Toronto has decided that the time has come for action, but that in all negotiations the rights of the city must be protected.

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