The morning journal-courier., 1908-11-25
PuHLrc UTILITIES LEGISLATION.

PUBLrC UTILITIES LEGISLATION.
 The evident disinclnatlon of the pub lie service corporation of the state to discuss at tnis time the report of the public utilities commission may he ex- plained on the ground that 1t does not become substantial in their judgment until t reaches the legislative stage It is doubtless sunici mt for them to study the recommendation made, and satisry themselves that nothing is proposed which would work an actual injustice to their interests Nor can any great fault be found with this attitude of mind lt is big step which the state proposes to take and all big steps are more or less fraught with possible con. sequences but so the recognition of tho principle of natural monopoly by the genera assembly was a big step to take and it was the taking of that step which led to the consideration of a public utilities law more for example, than a curious desire to follow in the wake of the state of New York, We can understand the human desire of the public service corporations to fol-  low their own preference In issuing new stock, additional bonds or fresh certificates of indebtedness, but 1t has been borne in upon thoughtful people who are not preiudlced in any given direction that so intimate is the re- lationship between the patronizing public and the operating corporations that mutual restrictions have become inevitable, It does make a difference with both the service given and the cost charged how great an indebted ness is rolled up, and 1t is unquestion- ably wise and right that there should be some power to say what that debt shall be and what form it shall take
 There is still some room for appre- henson with regard to the attitude Of the public service corporations towards the proposed legislation, in view of their original attitude towards the creation of a commission of inquiry It ia difficult to believe that they are any more inclined 10 closer scrutiny and oversight than they were before, but to offset this preference for no legisa- tion in favor of some Legislation is the present state of mind on the part of the public. There is no question but reached a definite conclusion as to the need for additional legislation affecting public service corporations, It would be too much to say that they know ex. actly what they want in terms of law but 1t is not too much to say that sc far as results are concerned they have thought the subject out thoroughly And 1t is at this point that the prob. able attitude of the public service cor. poratons becomes of real interest from the standpoint of the future content. ment of the state of Connecticut.
 It would be in the nature of calam. ity if through opposition of technica or direct character the proposed legis laton should be so amended that ulti. mately the people would awake to the fact that nothing substantial had beer accomplished in throwing new safe. guards about the management of these properties. The thought should be up. permost in the minds of the Legislature and the corporations that tho failure to bring anything substantial fortl from the careful investigation whicl has been made of the subject will surely stimulate the movement to ado government ownership to the list ot Connecticut political issues. President Mclen himself once said fin a public speech that he recognized that the fall. uro on the part Of the New Haver Railroad company to give good ant honorable service would finally lead tC government ownership, even though the people knew that as consequence the service given would be more costly and less efficient Exactly the samt logic holds good in connection with tho consideration of the proposed pupil, utilities legislation Let the people once get lt into their heads that ir come way or other an ineffective law has been substituted for a proposed el 1eetiyo one, they will find a way t, obto.n what they want even thougl they uy the questionable principle o government ownership
 In the meantime lt ls a good slgr