New-York tribune., 1908-09-27

been created and inspection of the establish
ments subject thereto has been removed from
the overburdened health officers of cities OF the
first class and placed with the state department.
The head of the department, himself LABOR Han i
who won his promotion by his proved capacity'
has made a commendabe record in the enforce
ment of the law.
The Child labor law has beer made more
stringent. 49,,
Improved provision has been made with regard
to ventilation of factories and for suitaple Wash-
rooms Protection has been provided for those
employed in the construction OF tunnels ana Ior
proper report of accidents
The limitation of the hours of labor OF en-
ployes on street surface railroads has peeh sA-
tended to all cities of the second class Inc
employment of railroad employees, except Ii
specified cases of casualties or unexpected deiys
of trains, for more than sixteen CONSECUTIVE
hours, has been prohibited and PROVISION mas
been made to enforce periods Of rest. An eignt-
hour day has been provided FOR raiiroau eeie-
graph and telephone operators
1t has been required that the employees Oh
steam surface railways shall receive their wages
mf-monthly instead of monthly as heretofore
thus aiding thrift and protecting them from the
exactions to which they have been exposed: nt anu
the law as to cash payment OF Wases iarn arsoeed
amended as to 1nclude coHpdihes eNeooo
in harvesting and storing Ice
we are solicitous for the interests OF labor.
received the most serious and sympathetic con-
sideration These interests cannot be separated
from those of the community. Tor the "eIare "
the toiling masses is oI Tie oeePo'' N'
to all
dress to review even hastily all the measures VI
beneficial legislation which have been enacted
or all the improvements which have been maae
in the administrative work Of the depart1nents.
And much that would like to say ooth WIN
regard TO statutory reform and departmental
work must of necessity be omitted we may
congratulate ourselves upon what has oeen ae-
compIished and renew resolves. we are
endeavorine to maintain the highest STANDARDS
of state work and to secure through far and I'M
partial administration the best results III ene
interest of all the people
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONS
plan for the effective regulation Of public
service corporations covering railroad, gas
and electrical companies has been proVlaeo. -
has been the subject of sharp attack because Oh
it's safeguards against predatory fnanctering
and its provisions for the enforcement OF PUBIC
obligations That there must oe canno
superyise commerce within the state any more
than the state can regulate interstate commerce.
The concerns of the state must be attended TO
bv the state These corporations receive public
franchises because of expected pubic penehts-
They receive these franchises upon elear conuI-
tions and they owe a duty to the state 70 fur-
nish ADEQUATE service without unjust discrlml-
nations upon reasonable terms This duty tne
state must enforce. 1t must be done elther oi-
rectly by the Legislature or through some ad-
ministrative body.
But the questions which arise In connection
with the enforcement of public rights are varied
and intricate. They demand investigation ana
the consideration of host of details Speclal
conditions must be considered. and 10 deal Just
Iv there must be fexibty Of action. In view
Of the vast range of our commerce and the Varl-
ety of questions presented, it is utterly inprac-
ticable for the Legislature to attempt TO regu-
late these concerns directly. 1t would have TO
resolve itself into an administrative board and
sit continuously, and even then by virtue OF the
very nature Of its organization 1t would inev-
itabIy fail
ARBITRARY LEGISLATION INJURIOUS.
The natural tendency of legislation IN at.
tempting direct regulation in detail Is toward
ipcr
furious Increased facilities. better stations. I'M
proved roadways, the elimination Of grade cross
ings additional rolling stock are inperatfvely
reouired to meet the growing demands OF COM
rnerce. The convenience of the pubic, the rur-
nishing of adequate service and the employ
rnent of thousands Of men at fair wages are De.
nendent unon earnings Arbitrary reduction OF
rates without investigation and definite knoWl-
edge Of results is the height of folly. we must
insist upon just treatment of corporate enter
nrise while at the same time we demand strict
enforcement Of the obligations of the corporation
to the public
only through an administrative board, sucn as
the Public Service commissions. This. believe
must be recognized by all. But we do not wish
state commission with mere pretence OF
slperyision because of inadequate powers. put !
real regulation within constitutional limits.
We had a board of railroad commissioners !
g. state gas commission and board or rapid |
transit commissioners There was an illogical !
division of authority, and the supervision or the
state over railroads hopelessly inefrectlve |
because of the inadequacy of the powers con- |
ferred There no reason why the subways
in New York should be under one Jurisolctloh !
and the elevated and surface lines under an
other The powers of supervision were divided, |
while the roads themselves were held under a |
common control.
A comprehensive plan has been adopted uniting |
In a single scheme the supervision and regula- !
tion Of public service corporations. and because |
of the onerous duties necessarily imposed the |
state was divided into two districts. Thus we !
secure protection against dishonest or improper
capitaIization and suitable means for the lnVes- /
tieation of grievances, for securing the safety |
and convenience of employees and the public. and |
generally for compelling the performance OF
public duty.
BENEFICIAL RESULTS OBTAINED.
Already the beneficial effects have been felt
throughout the state. Many grievances have |
heen remedied and important and necessary in
ouiries have been held. In large numbers or ,
cases complaints have been met and difficulties !