Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-06-22
MUCH IMPORTANT WORK DONE
Public Utility Regulation Bill Not
Yet Safely Out of the
Senate
Measure Will Undoubtedly Pass-Its
Champion Explains Its Scope
Bakers Residence District
Option Bill.


sions, both morning and evening, in
the hope OF Fastening the time Of final
Adjournment marked the legislative
proceedings last week. and much im-
portant work was accomplished. But
a mountain of bills still remains to be
cleared away, and in spite OF the fact
that this has been a thoroughly bust
ness legislature the results do not
measure up with those at the same
time two years ago.
1t is generally regarded as some
what unfortunate that so many of the
most important bills should be left to
the end of the session. Their sponsors
fear, and with good reason, that this
means that in the rush of final BUSH
ness they will be ruthlessly killed, as
has so often been the case in the past
Even the public utility regulation bill
has not yet safely emerged from the
senate, while the large measures af-
fecting insurance, capitol park extern
sion and redistricting of the state are
also still unsettled
Il
The public utility bill, however. is
sure to go through unless something
utterly improbable should arise. As
this measure in it's present amended
form is of much interest, the follow
ing observations on its scope by AS
semblyman Stout, it's floor champion,
are given:
"The public utility bill is promuI-
gated for the purpose Of regulating
heat, light. water, power and tele-
phone companies so as to safeguard
the rights OF the people in an equita-
BILE and conservative manner, which
will be Just not only to the people,
where the greater interest rests, but
to the public utility as well.
"Ample power is vested in the rail-
road commission to require and main
tain adequate service; to establish and
enforce reasonable rates; to institute
and audit a uniform system of ac-
counting for each kind of utility; to
make valuations of all the property
used and useful for the convenience
of the public owned by each utility;
to publish comparative statement Of
all the utilities of each kind, showing
value, rates, cost per unit for differ
emf items OF manufacture and expense
and the earnings; to appoint agents
with proper authority to hear testl-
mony to facilitate settlement Of differ
ences; to establish standards of units
and products and make tests; to make
Investigations and hold hearings.
Powers of the Municipality.
"Power is vested in the municipality
to determine quality and character OF
product and service; to require extern
sions when reasonable and to pur-
chase when necessary any public util-
ity.
"About sixty or sixty-five of the 10S
sections pertain to the practice and are
taken from the railroad cOmmiss N
law.
every step of every proceeding is
reviewable very consumer and every
utility can have his or its day in court.
Absolute justice to all is the funda-
menta principle underlying the entire
bill
"The bill is constructed ON an hon
est basis and inOffensively comreIs
honesty in utilities. 1t makes public
the business transactions of the utiIi-
ties; educates the people as to reason
able rates and in so doing settles dis
putes and establishes friendly reIa-
lions between the utility and it's pa
irons. It renders it unnecessary for
the utility to enter politics.
ut does not compel community to
support two utilities when one can
perform the service. Competition has
heretofore been a necessity because
OF inability to control, but with the
Introduction of efficient control, COM
petition is no longer desirable. Two
similar utilities in the same munici-
pality will not be installed uness rea-
sonabe necessity exists. Ruinous com
petition will be of the past.
Investments More Secure.
utilities will be on their good be
haviOr, continuing in business as long
adequate service at reasonable rates
is maintained
Investments will be more secure
and greater development made posi-
BILE I'm consequence.
I'm construction it is written for the
common people, not for the legal
mind; for the layman, not for the law
yer
SIN creation it is made possible by
the people of the whole state, IRE
spective of party utilization. In no
other state could it be successfully
written on the statutes at this time.
Nearly every member Of this legisla.
ture came here pledged to public utfl.
ity regulation. 1t is not a Republican
measure. 1t is not Democratic meas.
- Tho ,oODt, - XNr;-ao.,,r.;., l....-.- .