New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-06
essentially As 1T STANDS"


The closing of the hearings on the Public
Utilities bill reveals how little fault the critics
OF the measure have to find with it. Speaking
for the corporations, they admit that state reSu-
lation is necessary. The bill is right in prin-
ciple, they confess, and the only amendments OF
importance they suggest aim TO safeguard their
interests from abuse OF the reguative power by
political sensationalists and radicals who may
happen to be elevated TO Office. Only two
amendments OF great consequence are urged by
all the representatives Of the corporations,
namely, provisions for a court review and for
making the commissioners removable only with
the consent Of the Senate. Both of these amend
ments are probably prompted by a desire to
secure permanent policy, unaffected by changes
in the personnel of the state administration.
AS for the court review amendment, we have
already expressed the opinion that it is unneces
sary, for the reason that the courts, under the
bill as drawn, will afford ample protection to
property interests. AS for the power of removal.
We have been disposed to think that the adj
vantage Of being able to fix directly upon one
man. the Governor. responsibility for the fail
ures or the excuses Of the commissions is Of
greater Importance. both to the people and to
the corporations interested, than any benefit to
be derived from hedging their removal about
with embarrassing checks. The usual excuse for
misgoyernment in this country Is divided re-
sponsibility The Governor cannot remove the
negligent, inefficient or incapable without the
consent OF the Senate, and so ne cannot be held
responsible for their failure. similar excuse
used TO serve the mayors Of New York In the
/ days when the municipal government was at its
/ worst. II the Police Commission was corrupt
and inefficient the Mayor could not be held re-
spOnsible because he could not remove the COM
missiOners.
Assemblyman Merrltts declaration. I'VE shall
pass the Public Utilities bill essentially as It
Stands" should reflect the intention Of the Re
publicans in the Legislature The bills critics
have pointed out a few minor defects. and they
should be remeded; but their major objections
do not seem to US well taken, and essentially
as it stands" should be the programme. The
Republican party has an extraordinary oppor-
tunity in being IN power at a time when the
state is framing its policy toward the regula-
tlon Of corporations. A question of such magni-
tude does not occur once in a generation. Its
solution is the foremost thing in eveTybody's
mind to-day. The Utilities bill represents the
public determination to subject the operation of
utilities corporations to the law. AS Mr.. Merritt
says:
The Public Utilities bill is not the invention OF
some one person or set Of persons. It has grown.
1t is demanded by the sober and conservative
people OF the state.
1t has indeed grown. The only novelty in 1t
is fits completeness It's main provisions may be
found In the existing legislation of this state, In
the laws OF Massachusetts or in the Interstate
Commerce law or other federal legislation. They
have been tried and found satisfactory, and this
bill does little more than bring them all to-
gether into one harmonious system, forming the
completest machinery for the regulation Of pub
lie service corporations ever devised. 1t is in
no way radical or destructive, but 1t promises
to promote that greater harmony between the
public and the corporations which corporation
managers are everywhere seeking TO create
Those who think Of the great powers conferred
/ on the proposed commissions by the bill and con-
jure up the fear of a demagogue in Office with
such a weapon in his hands should remember
that It was the lack of just such powers in the
state. the public feeling that the great corpora
| lions were grown insolent and above the law,
that made demagOgues In Office possible.
The Utilities bill is a Republican measure
Its foremost advocate is a Republican Governor
1t is an example Of the party's best work in
constructive craftsmanship. Pass it essentially
as it stands"l Let US put an end to the anti
corporation agitation by providing machinery
adequate to the just and proper government Of
corporations.