The San Francisco call., 1901-12-05
A MENACE TO ALL.

* Braunhart on Monday public attention IS
IL once more directed to the extraordinary
commission whose appointment is provided for by
Assembly constitutional amendment No. 20, to be
submitted to the voters of the State the next cleo
ton. The Call has several times pointed out the per-
ncious features of the scheme but the subject is one
to which reference cannot too often be made In fact
continuous campaign of education should be carried
against it until all citizens have been fully warned
OF its dangers and its defeat the polls has been
sured
The amendment in question provides for the ere
alton of State Commission of five persons, who are
to be clothed with powers to fix all and charges
for transportation of passengers and freight and all
other services by all common carriers; to fix all
rates and charges for water electric light and power
and gas; to fix all rates and charges for telephone
and telegraphic service; fix all rates and charges
for sleepingcar companies and corporations and to
make regulations concerning the same; to FIX the
rates and charges for express companies or corpora
tions and all express service and also to make regu-
lations concerning them
With respect to the powers prescribed the COM
mission is to be the successor to the Bank Comms-
soners, the Insurance Commission, Boards of Super
Tisors City Councils and other governing bodies of
counties, cities and towns in the State. In fact
far as regards fixing rates and making regulations for
the various services stated the commission is to be
supreme, and it is also clothed with power to exact
license from all persons engaged in any of the speci
fed industries Finally, it is provided that any license
fixed by the commission shall be concusively deemed
Just and reasonable
A commission clothed with such extraordinary
powers would be Objectionable on that ground alone
were it otherwise commendable The proposed COM
mission however is made still Objectionable by
the manner in which its members are to be chosen
1t is provided in the amendment that the commits
sion shall be composed of five MEMBERSHIP first set
to be appointed by the Governor for two, four, SIX
eight and ten years, and afterward they to be
elected at the general elections for terms of ten
years, their salaries to be 10000 per annum with
power to appoint as many attaches as they fit
Here, then is proposition to- give the Governor
power to appoint commission. which will take over
to itself considerable portion Of the powers now
vested in local authorities or in existing commits
sions. Of the members thus appointed one would
for long ten years, another for eight. The
majority of the original appointees would serve for
six years 1t would have dealings with every impor-
tant corporation the State 1t would override all
local authority in the regulation of many matters
which concern the locality alone In short it would
go far toward destroying local selgovernment in af-
fairs where is of highest importance that local gov
ernment prevail
Can it be necessary to point out to any intelligent
citizen what would be the certain result of the adop-
! ton of the proposed amendment? The commission
would be appointed by the Governor but at the die
tation Of the great corporations. 1t would be Her
rim commission, and he would hold it for six years
at least Even when the time came for the people
elect member of the commission the corporations
would unite to bring about the nomination of ser
viceable tool of their own for the office. The cor
porations could well afford pay high for control OF
a commission with such extraordinary powers and it
is foregone conclusion they would not hesitate to
make the payment.
The Braunhart resolution provides that the Mayor
shall appoint committee of five to communicate
with all Boards OF Supervisors, City Councils and
Town Trustees throughout the State for the
of arranging for joint action in working defeat the
scheme. The resolution has been referred to the
Judiciary Committee. 1t is to be hoped it will be
promptly acted upon 1t is true the election is still
far off, but where campaign of education upon
new issue of such importance as this has to be car
/ rie o11t &c a1wavc vic 70 heoin earlv