Page:Sutherland Commission report (hydro-electric railways).djvu/9



, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Ontario.

May it please your Honour:

The Commissioners appointed under Order-in-Council bearing date the 21st day of July, 1920, respectfully beg to report as follows:

We were, by said Order-in-Council, directed:

(1) "To inquire into and report upon the whole question of Hydro Electric Railways, and all matters which, in the opinion of the Commissioners are relevant thereto, with particular reference to the matters that are raised by and discussed in the statement of the Government issued on the 6th day of July, 1920," a copy of which was attached to the Order-in-Council, and

(2) "To make such suggestions and recommendations in connection with or arising out of any of the subjects thus indicated, as in the opinion of the Commission may be desirable."

While the main inquiry is as to the proposed construction by the Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario, (on behalf of certain municipalities interested therein) of a system of electric (or radial) railways, through a part of Ontario extending, roughly, from Bowmanville on the east to Niagara Falls on the west, with a route mileage of about 326 miles, at an estimated cost of approximately $45,000,000 other matters were raised in the Government statement, and submitted to us for inquiry and consideration and which, it is appropriate to at once and briefly refer to as follows:

(1) The existing condition and outlook of the electric railway business.

(2) Will the projected railways be self-supporting, if constructed?

(3) (a) To what extent, if any, has the acquisition of the Canadian National Railway System, since the project was presented to the municipalities, affected the consideration thereof? (b) What weight should be attached to the suggestion that the Province "must not come into competition with Canadian National Railways?"

(4) To what extent, if any, has the large expenditure on the Chippawa Power scheme, since the project was so presented to the Municipalities, affected the consideration thereof?

(5) To what extent, if any, has the adoption by the Provincial Government of an improved highways policy, since the project was so presented to the Municipalities, affected the consideration thereof?

(6) To what extent will motors and motor trucks operating on improved highways, compete with and affect the projected railways?

(7) The existing debt and obligations of the Province in relation to the project.

(8) The relation, as well, of national and municipal debts thereto.

(9) The fact that the construction and operation of electric railways is something separate from the main object of the Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario, namely the development and sale of power.

(10 Are the projected railways to be regarded as a public necessity?

We have inquired into all of these questions, and from the evidence and documents, reached certain conclusions which we shall first state, leaving their discussion to be dealt with in our reasons ,which follow later.

(1) The financial condition of electric railways in Ontario and the United States in and prior to 1920, has been so precarious and unsatisfactory, and the outlook for improvement so dubious and discouraging, that the construction of the proposed system of electric