The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-02-13
Sir Adam Beck Criticises
Statement Made BY
Samuel S, Wyer.
Times WASHINGTON Bureau,
1859 Near York a 4,p,ssss

E-7 ASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-Ar
IiWI unpleasant controversy be
~ tween the United States Gov
ernment and the province of Ontario
Canada, seems to be threatening.
Jan. IS the Smithsonian Instttu
ton published pamphlet under the
title Of Niagara Falls; It's Possibi1
ties and Preservation" The author
was Samuel S, Wyer, associate in
mineral technology of the United
States National Museum. A large
section of the article was devoted
to statements and arguments calcu
lated to discredit the operations OF
the hydro-electric power commission
of Ontario. It is this commission
which operates the government
owned project of the province of On
tario. This project is the one hello
up by advocates of public ownership
as the most complete demonstration
of the benefits of public versus pri
vate ownership. Wyer's pamphlet
was issued at the time when Sena
tor Norris was waging a hard fight
for government ownership and oper,
alton of Muscle Shoals. 1t was Civ
en- considerable publicity throughout
the country.
Makes Hot Reply
Now comes Sir Adam Beck, man
ager of the Ontario hydro-electric
system, with a red-hot reply to
Wyer's statements. In effect, he. as
representative of the Ontario gov
eminent, puts the matter squarely
up to the United States Government,
because of the relation of the Smith,
ssonian Institution to the Govern
ment.
IF United States public funds. ;,
Beck writes, "can be made available
for such purposes as those for which
they have been used by Mr.. Wyer
with the concurrence OF his chief
DIR. Charles d. Walcott .
there exists a condition of affairs
respecting which the public at large
in both the United States and the
Dominion of Canada should take full
cognizance.
Among the controversial state.
ments in Wyer's article and Beck's
answers to them are the following:
! That the Ontario system is free
from taxation, which means a. gain
of 10 per cent to the electric con
sumers, at the expense of the tax
payers. Untrue, Beck says; the On.
tario system pays hundreds Of thou
sands Of dollars annually in taxes
to the province and the nunicipali
ties. Further 1t has paid millions
in custom duties on materials and
equipment imported from the United
States, an expense which private
plants in the United States escape.
Less Than Cost
That domestic consumers in On.
tario are supplied at less than cost
the difference being made UP by in
dustrial consumers and the Govern.
ment. Untrue, Beck says.
That the Ontario electric con.
sumers have failed to pay the ac.
tual cost Of the services they receive
BY a total Of SIC, I47,o14. Absolute
~ false" Beck says. Instead of a
deficit of that amount Indicated by
Wyer, he says, under Wyer's own
definition Of the term cost" a sur
plus of $40 900. 900 is shown.
Beck. also takes exception to Ian.
guage employed by Wyer. such as
good vote-getting and slogan
made public opinion" as demonstrate
ing an unfriendly motive behind the
publication of the pamphlet by the
Smithsonian Institution.
What attention will be given this
controversy by the administration
remains to be seen. Under the terms
of the establishment of the Smith.
sonian. President Coolidge is ex-of.
ficio its head. The board Of regents
is headed by Chief Justice Taft and
includes three Senators and three
Representatives and several widely
known American citizens. The sec
rotary, Charles D. Walcott, is the &C
tive 1fr-acfof. NJ the institution