Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-06-19
State Solons at Madison Hold
Long Morning and Even
ing Sessions.
MUCH IMPORTANT WORK DONE
Public Utility Regulation Bill Not
Yet Safely Out of the
Senate.
Measure VIII Undoubtedly Psss-lts
Champion Explains It's Scope
Bakers Residence District
- Option Bill.

Madison, Wis, June lsy-Long ses-
sions, both morning aud evening. In
the hope OF fastening the time of f1nal
adjournment marked the legislative
proceedings last week, aud much Inn
portant work was accomplished. But
a mountain of bills still remains 10 be
cleared away, and In spite of the fact
that this has been thoroughly bust
ness Legislature the results do not
measure up with those at the same
time two years ago.
Scope of Public Utility Bill.
The public utility bill. however, is
sure to go through unless something
utterly improbable should arise. As
this measure In its present amended
form is of much interest, the follow
ing observations ON its scope by AS
semblyman Stout, its ioor champion,
are given:
''rhe public utility bill is promul-
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-
bic 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
ta!;s adequate service; to establish and
enforce reasonable rates; TO institute
and audit 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;
70 publish a comparative statement OF
oil the utilities Of each kind. showing
value, rates, cost per unit for differ
ent items Of manufacture and expense
and the earnings; 10. appoint agents
with proper authority 70 hear testi-
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
10 determine quality and character OF
product and service; 10 require exten-
sions when reasonable and to pur-
chase when necessary any public util-
ity.
About sixty or sixty-five OF the l05
sections pertsin to the practice and are
taken from the railroad commission
law.
Every step of every proceeding is
renewable. very consumer and every
utility can have his or its day in court.
Absolute justice TO all is the fanda-
menea principle underlying the entire
bill.
"The bill is constructed on an hon.
est basis and inoffensiyely eompels
honesty In utilities. 1t makes public
the business transactions of the utili-
ties; educates the people as to reason
able rates and in SO doing settles dis
putes and establishes friendly rela-
tions between the utility and Its pa
irons. 1t renders Il unnecessary FOR
the utility to enter politics.
''It does not compel a community 10
support two utilities when one can
perform the service. Competition has
heretofore been 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. Rulnous 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 possi-
BILE In consequence.
'In construction II Is written for the
common people, not for the legal
mind; for the layman, not for the law
yer.
''In creation II IL made possible by
the people of the whole state, irre-
spective OF party affillation. In no
other state could 1t be successfully
written on the statutes at this time.
Nearly every member of this legisIa-
ture came here pledged to public utll-
ity regulation. II Is not Republican
measure II Is not a Democratic meas
are. The people OF Wisconsin deserve
the credit. Every member OF This leg
islature voting for 1t deserves his
share of credit 1t will live. IL Will
grow and wax strong in the living.
Pass 1t on"