16 Second Annual Report of the 



service were the same as those in places not possessing such 

 natural advantages, and they were in some cases even higher. 

 This condition not only existed, but through the rapid absorption 

 of the water power sites and the elimination of competition by 

 consolidation and contractual relations between the different com- 

 panies, it was rapidly becoming a condition that could not be 

 ameliorated in the future without such an expense as would 

 burden the enterprise with an interest charge that would leave 

 any benefit to the people very much in doubt. Owing to the dis- 

 tance of Ontario from all the known Canadian coal fields it was 

 clear that the prosperity of the province as a manufacturing 

 center was inextricably bound up with the proper utilization and 

 distribution of the " white coal " of the province. It needed 

 but the recognition of these fundamental facts and their dissemi- 

 nation among the business men of the province to bring about 

 an agitation culminating in the Ontario Hydro-Electric Power 

 Commission and its work. A full history of the movement will 

 be given in the complete report of the Conservation Commission. 

 We desire to call attention in this place to a few deductions to be 

 made from a general consideration of that history, as follows: 



The movement was a popular movement, originating in common 

 councils, boards of trade, and other civic bodies. 



The movement was denounced as " socialistic," and all of the 

 epithets and fallacious arguments that are now becoming familiar 

 to us in connection with the Conservation Commission's policy 

 were used in fighting the movement in Ontario. 



The movement has been regarded not as a political but as a 

 great economic question. 



The government took action only upon a strong manifestation 

 of the popular will. 



The first definite recognition of the economic necessity for 

 providence-wide distribution of power seems to have become public 

 in 1903. In 1906 the present commission was created. In 1910 

 Hydro-Electric power was available from the transmission lines 

 of the Province. 



The popularity of the work and the confidence of the people in 

 the Hydro-Electric Power Commission have been shown by ever 

 increasing majorities in support of the policies of the Commission 



