The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-11-30
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Vermont Pledged to Follow Lead of
Progressive State.

The Republicans Of Vermont put
themselves in line with the policy of
Governor Hughes in New York and
with other progressive leaders
throughout the country by declaring
during the recent state campaign in
favor Of extending to other public
service corporations state control
similar to that exercised in relation
to railroads. says the Burlington Free
Press. There is probably not a re-
publican In Vermont who would stand
up In his place and assert that the re-
publicans In the legislature should
with malice aforethought repudiate
"a single pledge made to the people of
Vermont in the party platform and
that Is one OF the chief reasons why
We expect to see law In relation to
public service corporations enacted
Vermont is not only pledged 10 the
passage OF such a law but Il is also
called upon 10 enact such measure
by considerations of popular welfare
and public service; by the fact that
other progressive states are legislat-
ing along lines similar to those pro
posed. and above all by the fact that
the single instance in which we have
tried this policy. namely, the railroad
commission law. has operated so sat
lsiactory that no one would dream OF
going back to the old order of things
IN connection with our railroads.
There Is every reason to believe that
express and other public service cor
porations need TO be looked after in
the interest OF the public by compet-
ent authority just as much as the
railroads The Mortified News well
says:
A bill embodying the ideas strongly
advocated by Governor Prouty for a
public service commission and, en-.
dorsed In the republican state plat
form, is now before the legislature
The measure practically extends the
scope OF the railroad commission,
which Il will succeed II Il becomes a
law. by placing supervision over all
public service companies, including
not only railroads but telephone, tel
rgraph. express. electric light gas
and all similar companies.
This Is measure that deserves the
support Of every legislator as we'll as
citizen. Supervision OF all public util.
ity companies could hardly fail TO be
of as much value to the people. &C.
cording TO their Importance as is the
present control OF the state over the
railroads. IL would give private citi-
zens chance for redress in many
wrongs where now they are practic.
ally helpless
An honest and energetic superyis-
ion OF public corporations would also
mean a better service TO the public
and consequently prove OF real value
To the interests OF such companies.
The plan Is already inaugurated In
many states with highly satisfactory
results. There ought not to be any
question about the establishment OF
a public service commission in Yer
mont before the legislature adjourns
The republican platform pledged the
people this progressive measure.
We understand that no small part
Of The opposition to this measure
comes from some OF the telephone In.
terests that want to consolidate, wat.
er their consolidated stock TO their
hearts content and force the dear pub
Tic TO foot the bills In order TO pay
large dividends on the diluted stock
The province OF public service com
mission is to put all transactions OF
this character on fair and safe basis
and In every way possible to protect
the interests OF the public Uunder
these circumstances legislators who
oppose this protection for the public
will have some tall explaining to
make to their constituents.