The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-01-09

should look to the future. Revenues that
are ours today may disappear tomorrow
The great business companies now inccr-
porated in our state, from whom we re-
ceived last year 49, ,846, are likely in the
near future to seek Incorporation under
national laws Their interests lie in this
direction, and the trend of thought led by
the president and the United States COM
missioner of corporations points this way
also. The agitation for the Incorporation
of life Insurance companies under ma
tional laws has already begun and is but
question of a few years. The loss Of
these revenues would mean state tax
unless we have sources of revenue pre-
served to meet the emergency, Greater
demands upon our income are made with
each recurring year-demands that can
not we'll be avoided. There will always
be great public burdens beyond the capac-
ityt of any municipality to carry. to the
support of which the state must contrib
ute Wise forethought therefore will safe
guard and increase the states revenues
for the benefit of all of its people
Limited Franchises.
The development of electricity as a mo-
tive power has introduced upon our high
ways method Of travel at once com
venient and Inexpensive and made then1,
as a rule the roadbeds Of our trolley: sys-
TENS The right OF way upon the streets
for this purpose is granted by various
municipalities. They have the power TO
make their own terms as to the conditions
of the franchise and the number Of years
which it shall continue in force, whether
it shall be ten, twenty, fifty or unlimited.
The trolleys have proved important fac
tors in the development of our state. The
public has welcomed this means Of con-
veyance. and little attention has been paid
to the length Of time for which the fran
chises have been granted. Population has
increased, and the use of the public
streets for these purposes has proved to
be a concession Of great value. The mu-
inequalities, however,, hampered by per
petual franchises, have not been able to
take advantage of these changed condi-
tions. II the highways are to be used for
business purposes the people, who own the
highways should be in a position to de-
mand an increased rental as their proper
~ becomes more valuable, just as the
owner of the business block Is able to
raise the rent thereon In proportion as
increased trade and traffic center about 1t.
This Of course cannot be done If the
streets are leased for an unlimited term
of years, but il the lease or franchise Is
limited its expiration would permit new
terms to be made In proportion to the IN
creased value Of the grant
How far the power Of municipalities to
grant IfducnlSeSA 10 PUBIC utltity SOfpuISA-
tions should be limited should be deter
mined solely by the interests of the peo-
pie. Their interests will not be served
by a destructive policy. No revenue can
be derived under laws so harsh that they
prevent the development Of enterprises
from which the revenue must come.
The question Of competition should also
be considered. Under too restricted condi-
tons new and like concerns cannot COM
pete with those holding perpetual and UNI
restricted franchises. Nor should It be
forgotten that terms that might warrant
the investment Of capital in thicAly popu-
lated centers would not tempt It in unde-
veloped sections. The commission APP
pointed by the last legislature to investi-
gate this subject will recommend a liin-
itation Of the power Of municipal officials
to grant franchises to public utilities.
That this limitation may not restrict en-
terprises or arrest progress in the rural
districts It might be provided that any
ordinance granting franchise for len.
ger period than twenty-five years should
he submitted to a vote OF the people. with