Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-11

petition. the public services commission
has forbidden the consolidation of two
gas and electric light companies in the
city of Lockport. 1t has also forbidden,
the public. There are two companies at
Lockport furnishing gas, electric light
and electric power to the public. The
managers got tired of cutting rates and
other forms of rivalry and decided upon
merger. They formed a new company
with capitalization of $1.2O0,0OO, which
arranged to purchase both of the old
companies, whose combined capital stock
was 100000. Everything was decided
upon. The new stock was all subscribed
for and the certificates were printed,
when the public services commission in
tervened, and, on the ground of public
welfare. forbade the consolidation and
prohibited the issue of the new stock.
Thus far there has been no appeal and |
am informed that none will be made.
The owners of the rival companies have
decided to continue business as formerly
and will both charge the same rates, the
maximum to be fixed by the commission.
Acquiescence of Corporations.
The willingness of the railway COM
panies and other corporations to submit
to the orders and accept the suggestions
of the commission is said to be significant
both Of the necessity for such a law and
satisfaction with its provisions. Mr.. j.
s. Kennedy, secretary of the commission,
in anwer to my inquiry. said;
Every railway and every other cor
poration in the state with which we have
had anything to do thus far has, re-
sponded promptly and cheertully to every
order that has been issued, and in several
cases have thanked US for pointing out
q 1ny1tc hot ;raI IN
the other hand, several compliments
have reported to the commission that
the reforms ordered upon their COM
plants have been perfectly satisfactory.
The corporations have also done a great
deal voluntarily. In short time shall
be able to give complete information OF
the reforms that have been introduced,
of the permanent additions, betterments
and improvements made by public servic,
corporations of the state under our juris-
diction since the law went into effect on
July last.
Last month a circular was issued
asking for reports, stating that it is
very desirable that the work of this
character. which the railroads have done
during the past year, and that which
Is now in progress, be made known to
the legislature and the public in the
annual report of the commission, which
must be submitted January 10, zoos. 1t
is confidently hoped that sucn infor-
nation will disper much of the i'm
preston now prevailing with many
that the railroads have not been max
ing exertions to meet the seXtraordi-
nary demands upon them by the great
increase of traffic
Good Feeling Maintained.
Such a report will show how much
the public has already been benefited
by the enactment of the new law" said
Mr.. Kennedy. 1T will also demonstrate
the good feeling that has prevailed be-
tween the commission and the corpora
tons, and the friendly disposition that
has been displayed on both sides The
railways and other corporations recog-
nize that we are acting only in the in
terests of the public, and they are CO.
operating with us. They realize, also,
that we are not crowding them or ask
During the last three months there
have been several instances where the
railroads, after their repreSentativ
have listened to the presentation of
complaints against them, have volun-
tarily acknowledged themselves to be
in the wrong, and have altered their
rates, or changed their regulations or
increased their service, and have other
wise accepted the recommendations of
the commission without making any
opposition or resistance.
For example, all of the railways in
Buffalo have reduced their switching
charges so per cent upon hearing the
testimony taken by the commission in
support of complaints made by ship
pers. They did not wait for the verdict
of the commission. This reform was
considered so important that the COM
mon council and the board of trade
Of Buffalo passed resolutions of appre-
citation. :
1.-The railways have cleared up the con-
gestion of freight at Buffalo, at our sug-
gestion: they have shipped away the local
grain and have got the export grain
started. 1t required only suggestion on
the part of the commission that the
trouble might be removed by the appoint
Went of a central, responsible authority
with supreme power to give directions.
We found many men of various authority,
but they were scattered and did not work
together. All strings led to New York
and whenever cooperation between the
several railways was suggested the rep
resentatives of each of them at Buffalo
reported to New York and asked for in
structions. In some cases there was ac-
ton; in many cases consideration was
postponed and the matter overlooked and
the proposed cooperation was defeated.
But now, at the suggestion of the COM
mission, Mr.. j. P. Bradheld, formerly as
sistant general manager Of the New York
Central. was sent to Buffalo to take COM
pie charge of with full powers, and every
thing Is working smoothly.
Interchangeable Mileage Books.
1--WE had a meeting here the other day
of representatives of all the railroads con-
corning the feasibility of adopting an in
Interchangeable mileage book on a 2-cent
rate, with a minimum of five hundred
miles. Every railroad in the state re-
sponded cordially. and the subject was
discussed with perfect frankness and
full understanding. The commission was
thus fully informed as to the effect of
such an arrangement upon the revenues
of every road and of the difficulties that
were likely to occur in carrying out such
plan.
I'VE had similar conferences about car