The morning journal-courier., 1908-03-10
Six New Haveners Journey to
Hartford for Big Hearing
Held Yesterday in
Capitol.
PEOPLE TO HAVE APPEAL
Possible Consequences of Tremendous
Corporate Wealth Must be An.
ticipated, Says Colonel =.
Osborn.

Six representative New haveners
journeyed to Hartford yesterday to
take active part in the public hearing
at the capitol before the Public Utili-
ties commission. They were President
Sidney Perlin Butler of the Business
Mems association. Frank p. Linsley,
Edward I. Atwater, Levi T.. Snow,
Mlnotte z. Chatfield and Col. Norris
G. Osborn of the Journal Courier.
The members of the commission
present We're Attorney-General Mar
Gus H. Holcomb, who presided; State
Attorney Charles Phelps of Rockville,
Comptroller Thomas d. Bradstreet and
P. H. Woodward of this city. The
other member of the commission. form
er Congressman Washington f. Will
cox of Chester was absent. Mr. Will
cox is in Florida. Miss Helen f. Kel-
ly, the stenographer in the attorney
generals Office, took stenographic notes
of the hearing.
The call of the meeting was read by
viz NiS'ht <httoiH1y hdlRll W w eIlS.
Attorney-General Holcomb briefly
explained the purpose of the hearing.
There were nearly 200 persons pres
ent.
A. Howard Abbe of New Britain.
president of the State Business Mems
association, was the first speaker. He
said that the directors OF the associa-
ton decided last Thursday to favor the
appointment of a public service COM
mission.
Mr. Butler said he was instructed by
his association to appear in favor Of
the organization of public utilities
commission.
At the request of State Attorney
Stiles Judson of Fairfield county, the
resolution under which the commits
sion was appointed was read 1t was
his impression the commission has
not the power to subpoena witnesses.
Attorney-General Holcomb said the
resolution implied the commission
would get the information in some
way In regard to public service COR
porations with the view of determin-
ing If evils existed. The commits
sion has appointed a clerk who gives
his whole time to the work. There
has been no reluctance on the part of
corporation to give desired informa-
ton. The commission would like to
hear from the public generally. While
it is true that the commission has not
the power OF subpoena If any corpor-
alton refused to give information the
refusal would be noted.
In Session at All Times.
| In reply to Mr.. Able. Attorney
General Holcomb said that the COM
mission, through its secretary, Mr..
Wells, would be In session all the
time. and statements could be left at
any time with the clerk.
I'VE would like to have you make
Mr. Wells life as busy as you can"
said Attorney-General Holcomb.
Il hope they will, replied Mr..
Abbe.
MFR. Greene of the Ansonia Busi-
ness Mems association said that his
association is in favor of public SER
vice commission. The streets of An
sonia are crowded overhead with wires.
Colonel Osborn Speaks.
Colonel Norris G. Osborn, editor Of
the New Haven Morning Journal
Courier, speaking as a representative
of the New Haven business men, said
there is widespread sentiment
throughout Connecticut in favor of a
public utilities commission. The poll
cy of the New York. New Haven and
Hartford Railroad company has been
one of opportunism TO adapt itself to