The sun., 1919-11-01
VIII Require sI7e,7s1, 500 More.

me committee further finds that in
order to carry to completion the various
provisions that have been made for re-
estabIishment work no less a sum than
iie,sH,Ss6.ss will be required. The
total expenditures for reestablishment
work heretofore provided and now being
carried on therefore will amount to
S4s1.54o, 1880. The entire question of
education OF returned men, except those
disabled, is left with Parliament. The
attitude OF the opposition Is likely to be
critical AT the National Liberal con-
vention last August a declaration was
made for System Of ash grants to
the soldiers and dependents of those who
nave FALLEN as the most satisfactory AMI
effective means of establishment
The convention also declared for edu-
cation by competent educationists, for
insurance Of the disabled and for gener-
GUS pensions.
When the bill to acquire the capital
stock OF the Grand Trunk came up for
third reading w. s. Fielding moved an
amendment providing for reference of the
entire question to a commission, to be
composed of railway men of experience
In finance and management of railways.
He argued that with $4,000 miles of a
system of Government lines 1t was in
cumbent on the Ministry to demonstrate
what 1t can do before taking on any more
mileage. involving the country in larger
responsibility. The Ministry asks Par
Lament to give par value and per cent.
dividends to $60,0O0,000 of stock that
has paid no dividends for two years, and
to submit to arbitration the value of
$3.50. 100000 of other stock, which the
Drayton Acworth report had declared
was worth doubtful compensation.
Governments stand Outlined.
Arthur Meighen in reply said the
policy of the Government had been be-
fore the country since May 10, 1918
! when the Prime Minister had stated
| that circumstances over which the Gov
| eminent had no control led to acquisi-
ton of the Grand Trunk. Negotiations
In that direction were initiated by the
Government with the Grand Trunk In
January. 1918. All of which. Mr.
Meiehen offered, was fair notification
to the country and Parliament of policy
The Government saw the inevitable duty
of conserving the Grand Trunk Pacific
which was a great national undertaking
| and II was proposed to unite the old
Grand Trunk, as a great gathering sys-
tenn through Ontario and Quebec, with
the national system.
Information brought down by the
Minister Of Railways shows that Gov
| eminent aid to the Grand Trunk Pacific
since construction, In addition to subsi-
des paid. amounts to s44,591,157. This
Is subsidiary line of the Grand Trunk
In which the controlling company had
invested s9s ,09s. 900.
1t was stated In the Senate that the
Graud Trunk controls thirty-three rail.
| way companies In the United states
with a capital stock of s26, 700, 900 PAL
value Total par value of the bonds and
| other Indebtedness of those companies
| Is s64,319,024. OF that total the GRAND
Trunk company holds 1889. 1913. the
public holding ss6,sss.ssO.
| branches May he Seized.
| The Government of Saskatchewan hai
| declared that unless the Federal Gov
J eminent is prepared to assume liability
| for the S7.000,000 guaranteed by TIL
! province, the provincial Government will
seize the branch lines In It's territory
all of which are paying properties.
The provision in the Grand Trunk bill
under which II was proposed to acquire
the debenture and guaranteed stock afte
thirty years has been amended to flv'
years. This meets the argument o.
Mackenzie King. and is a concession
by the Government.
The opposition has brought out thu
fact that the outstanding obligations
of the Grand Trunk amount to s57,
900, 900, all of witob would have to b.
| met within eighteen ,'r.2ths, assuming
| arbitration would take nine months. Thu
opposition also asserts that the entir'
preference and common stock OF $50.
000,O can be purchased at marke
value for $50, 100000. 1t would b.
willing, therefore, to pay the share
holders 100000 and assume the out
standing debts Of $57,O00.0O0.