The Washington times., 1908-12-13
Object of Bill.

order out of a chaotic condition of
things with reference to the public serv-
ice corporations in the District. At the
present time there is no regulative body
in the District as far as the public
utilities are concerned. The situation is
very unsatisfactory. The people have
no way of exercising any influence over
such corporations and the result is they
fight matters out I'm the various citizens
associations and through those associa-
tions critic.se the way in which things
are conducted
They belabOr Congress with COM
mUnicatiOn after communication and
with protest after protest, and when
all is said and done, there is no real au-
thority anywhere 10 control the situa-
ton
To Make Start.
The bill have introduced is intend
ed 10 make a start in the right direc-
ton and 20 locate somewhere, the au-
thority TO exercise needfuI control over
the gas. telephone. and electric light
companies
IN the different States. we have rail-
road commissions with authority to con-
troll intra-State railway matters IL
>
where in the District there should be
lodged the authority to exercise control
over these corporations. Now. no
proper board, having cognizance Of sach
matters. exists. In the last session, the
Interstate Commerce Commission was
given authority over the traction COM
psnies and so these are not referred to
in the bill.
stance. Suppose a man wants to start a.
grocery some place in washington and
wants to have a phone put in his place
II rests with the company whether It
provides him with the service or whctn-
er It doesn't. It is IN the power OF the
telephone company to ruin a mans bust
ness in some cases by falling to give
him service II it wants to.
No Relief.
Suppose the company refuses to give
him the service. To whom can the man
go to have the company compelled to
treat him justly? Under the present ar
Tangement there is no board. no com
mission. or any body Of any sort 10
which he can have recourse. Neither in
the matter of rates nor OF service Is
there now any authority TO exercise
pany or over the other public service
corporations referred TO in my bill"
Senator Burketts bill was referred to
the District committee. He is going to
make an effort 10 have it considered
by that committee and reported out if
possible
- Senator Burkett said, however, that he
might conclude to enlarge the scope Of
his bill He pointed out that the Pres
ident's message contained a recommen-
daticn that interstate telegraph and tel
ephcne companies should be under the
supervision OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission Senator Burkett agrees
with this idea. It is likely he viii in
corporate Il IN his bill. To do so would
in no way detract from the force Of the
original hill. but It would so broaden
the scope OF it as to bring these COM
panies under the Jurisdiction Of the IN
terstate Commerce Commission in the
District and throughout the country.
provided always their business was ter
Titorial or interstate.
Dolliver Bill
Senator Burkett is chairman Of the
subcommittee OF the Senate District
Committee that has charge Of school
matters AS chairman Of this subcom-
nittee Senator Burkett has had the
management of the DOlliver bill. the
purpose Of which is TO reorganize the
management of the educational system
OF the District Senator Burkett sought
70 get this bill passed by the Senate
last session, but opposition arose and
many obstacles were put in its way
Senator Burkett was asked if he pur-
posed TO force this bill this session. He
said he had not yet made up his mind.
that he would like TO see the proposed
legislation put through but that he was
fully aware Of the difficulty OF getting
anything done. Senator Burkett said he
was fully convinced he was in the right
as 10 his position about the schools, that
they were greatly in need Of a reor-
ganized system of control and that ac-
ton was imperative.
Our schools are simply drifting"
said Senator Burkett- There can be
no question OF the need Of some CEN
traliZed authority for controlling the
schools"