Canada: THE DOMINION: Suspicions

In Toronto, two obscure companies* sued to block a Government investigation into the affairs of the famed Eldorado uranium mine, Canada’s great source of the raw material of atomic energy. The suit dragged out a closely guarded Government secret; Canadians had not known that Eldorado was under investigation— or why. Now they heard a story that might resound for months.

Sales & Cartels. When Canada’s Government expropriated the Eldorado mine in January 1944 (TIME, Aug. 20), its prime (but secret) purpose was to insure an adequate supply of uranium for U.S., British and Canadian atom-bomb experimenters. Canadians found out last week that there was another reason too: in the operation of Eldorado, before expropriation and just after, the Government had detected something that looked suspect.

Apparently certain financial interests had been attempting to get control of Eldorado’s uranium and to sell it, contrary to wartime metals regulations, for private profit. There were, moreover, reasons to suspect that attempts had been made to form an international uranium cartel involving Eldorado and Belgian Congo uranium interests. To get at the facts, a Toronto chartered accountant, J. Grant Glassco, had been appointed last May as chief investigator.

Searches & Discretion. In the House of Commons last week, the Government said that Glassco’s investigation was now almost complete. It did not promise that it would ever make the results public. But it did reveal the contents of orders-in-council, issued months ago, authorizing the investigation. Their language, and the sweeping nature of the powers they granted, showed how serious the Government’s suspicions were.

The orders said: “There is reason to suppose that there have been irregularities. . . .” Investigator Glassco was authorized to search any building where books, records or other documents might be stored, “if necessary by force.” The orders named 45 different companies and individuals to which the order could be applied. Glassco was given “absolute discretion.” It was even decreed that he would not be held responsible under law for anything he did “in the performance or purported performance of his duties.”

*Bay Securities, Ltd., and Dial and Instrument Finishers, Ltd., both of Toronto.