The administration of unemployment relief in Montreal has now reached what amounts to a governmental impasse. For several years the direction of the Commission has been under General Panet, a citizen of high repute and recognized ability, whose services were loaned to the city by the C.P.R. The Panet Commission has been in a very real sense an independent body, and as such has functioned with a high degree of efficiency, and at the same time with sympathy. for those with whom it dealt, Its funds have come from the civic government, but Jas far possible control of the spending has been kept from the aldermen, who in this city are much given to. patronage.
A few months ago, without warning, officers of the Quebec provincial the premises of the on and took charge. No good reason for this action was provincial authorities there maladminiince that time the police continued on the premises, and that extent have hampered the ft in their freedom:
As there seemed to be some doubt the minds of Montreal citizens work of the Panet a committee of seven, of which four were from the City Council and three from the general public, has spent some time studying The Commission has thus been carrying on its work with two groups of inquisitors—one from the y and the other from the province questions at it. group of critics has been prove any of various charges levelled at the Relief officers, but one is sorry to note that the municipal investigation committee has }been unable to present an united front making its report, The reasons for this seem to lie largely fact that the, representatives of the City Council favour the apent of one of their number as director, thus bringing the Commission right under the wing of the civie administration. _L) Meanwhile the totali number on
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