New-York tribune., 1905-04-26
NEW LIGHTING SOLUTION.
PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD.
Commission to Regulate Corporations
Under Consideration by Committee.
TBT TELEoRArH TO THE TRIBUNE. !

Albany. April s5.-A public service corpora
ton commission. created along lines identical
with those forecast IN these dispatches a month
ego. is now the solution Of the New-Yorlz City
lighting situation that is under serious con-
sideratiOn by the Stevens investigating COM
mittee This committee. in general following
the lines Of the existing Railroad Commission
and including both its members and its present
powers. is 10 have control and supervision OF
gas and electric lighting companies. electric
power transmission corporations and telephone
companies, well as railroads. and is TO con-
sist Of seven-that is. four and three old
members The bin TO accomplish this has been
drafted in a rough form by two members OF the
Gas Commission to-day. and is to be submitted
70 Governor Higgins Tomorrow
In its present form. which is still tentative
the new measure confers on this public service
commission the same powers over lighting, tele-
phone and power transmission corporations as
are now possessed by the Railroad Commits
sion over railroads. and other powers more
sweeping, such as VIII insure the enforcement
Of the recommendations OF the commission, and
81 repeaIs all state laws now existing incon-
fistent with this provision The financial af-
fairs Of the gas corporations Will thus be sub
ject 70 the commission, and this is one OF the
points that the gas investigation committee
feels necessary to cover from the outset of its
work.
To prevent stock watering. such has al
ready been demonstrated in the present investi-
cation. il is necessary only 10 give the power
now possessed by the Railroad Commission over
railroads But the defect in the present power
Of the existing commission seems to be in its
inability 10 enforce It's orders This is 10 be rem
edied by conferring on the new commission
power analogous TO those now possessed by the
Massachusetts, Gas Commission-that is. MAX
sng its orders binding on corporations. subject
"a review bv the courts. with the burden of prov
ing contention on the corporation and not on the
commission. General authority is TO be given
% the commission to regulate rates. within cer-
tain limits. 10 compel sworn reports from the
companies. 10 hear complaints TO examine wit
nesses, books and papers, to pass on applica-
tions for new franchises subject 10 the action OF
local authorities; 10 recommend amendments to /
the laws 10 compel the enforcement OF the laws
regulating the quality of gas 10 be supplied; TO
prescribe rules for the companies and 10 exam
ine into the validity Of grants Of doubtful
validity.
Z. A. Merritt, IT.. member of the stevens
committee and the introducer Of bill conferring
on the State Commissioners the powers that are
now To be conferred on the new commission, is
the foremost advocate Of she State commission |
adea but Senator Page Of Newly ork, the aullor
OF the gas investigation resolution, mas Deeh !
associated with him in drafting the new meas
ure, which is said to have the tentative appToFaI
Of Governor Higgins.
Three members Of the seven are known TO
Favor the committee idea. and Senator stevens /
believed in il early in the investigation, ana II
IS not known here that he has changed his views /
Such a commission would Of course, be the
basis Of the report Of the committee and would /
make the measure one Of the most sweeping
and important Of the session. The TuLy plli
now before the Senate increasing the NUMBER OF
railroad commissioners from three TO seven y
believed TO furnish the basis for the proposeu
legislation II is the intention OF the lnVesusa-
ft0n committee 10 agree upon It's report on
Thursday and present il 10 the legislature on
senator Page and Assemblymen Agnew ana
Merritt OF the investigation committee, lo-Llsl4-
iai5 before the Governor the proposition Tor
bublic service commission, and discussed the
Flen with him in great detail. The talk took no
Fe7nife form and no final decision was reached
Tho understanding at the end or the TAX was
fhar the committee would whip It's report lnto
shane and formulate its findings before II
1,roIIpbr ii TO Albany Friday, and III the m
term test the sentiment of the committed Ihe
main dihlculty brought out at the tank was the
lareness in the session, the difficulty OF framing
a measure Of such great Importance ana attend
Inc "a an the details week before the session
ended and the possible refusal Of legislative
leaders Ia null through such measure, so novel
=, Fo-v, and So unexpected in substance on so
s,ort a warning. But the project stu! remains
I've one despite the long, frank talk tonight.