David Spencer 268 pages softcover
In the early 1900s, electricity was THE booming technology, and with it, electric railways. Almost all electric power was privately-generated, and the continent_s street railways delivered significant profits to their private shareholders. Although he was a prosperous London, Ontario manufacturer (while simultaneously the Mayor and the Conservative member of Ontario_s provincial Legislature), Adam Beck believed in the benefits of a publicly-owned electricity grid ('Power at Cost!_). He was opposed to privately-owned companies whose high rates inadequately served public needs. Beck was convinced _ and convincing _ that government-ownership would result in lower costs, to be passed on to the public, causing the use of electric technology to spread well beyond the privileged elite. His political acumen and connections resulted in the 1906 creation of the Hydr
