On Tuesday the County Council continued the debate on the
Works Committee. Lord Onslow in a moderate speech proposed that a special committee should inquire into the management and financial position of the Works Department and as to its future prospects,—i.e., "lay bare the whole history and all th.e facts of this gigantic effort in the direction of Socialistic municipalisation." Mr. Custelloe moved an amendment requiring the Committee to compare the cost and quality of the work done by the Department with the work of the contractors. This was, however, rejected, but another amendment, making the quality of the work done by the Department and the contractors respectively part of the inquiry, was accepted. The Committee, which includes Dr. Longstaff, Mr. Dickinson, Sir Godfrey Lushington, and Sir Arthur Arnold, is to get to work at once. Mr. Burns in the course of the debate made a -very violent speech, and charged a member of the Council, Mr. Emden, with having advised the Council to use artificial stone instead of natural stone for certain work, "for the good and sufficient reason that up to March, 1896, he held one lundred and forty-five shares in an artificial stone paving company." Mr. Burns went on to use somewhat wild language as to Mr. Emden having "pursued the Works Committee with venom over the York Road sewer," and with having helped the Globe to make its charges against the Works Department. We know nothing as to these charges, but feel that on public grounds Mr. Burns should be forced to make good his charges, if he can.
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