The Washington herald., 1908-02-21
FAVORS SMITH PLAN
Commissioner West Wants
Public Utilities Board.
RECALLS VIEWS LONG HEi
Idea Advanced by District Ohicis
Last Fall Embodied in Annual -
Port-Willing TO Yield in Any VIZ
that VIII Insure Resuits-SnIns.
Congress should Delegate Power.

Representative Smiths announcement
yesterday that he proposed TO introduce a
bill in the House providing for the ap-
pointment Of a public utility commission
Of three experts. whose duty it would be
TO inquire into the details OF public service
corporations in the District, brought to
light the interesting fact tina; a similar
suggestion was made last fall by Com
missioner Henry L. West 70 his col
leagues.
Mr.. West even went so far as 10 put
his views into written shape. Offering
them as a contribution TO the annual re-
port Of the Commissioners. Mr.. West
had conferred with several weIl-known
citizens. some OF them with large fnan-
ciaI interests and others high in author
ity, upon the subject. and had received
much encoura cement.
"Afterward," said Commissioner West
yesterday. when the question or incor-
porating my views into the annual report
was discussed. ! yielded 10 the sugges-
ton that the Commissioners should be
clothed with the powers which. according
10 my proposition, would be invested In
the public utilities commission. I was so
anxious 20 have authority placed some
where 10 settle questions arising between
citizens and the public service corpora
tions that rather than have nothing done
was willing 20 yield my own plan in
favor Of something upon which there
would be unaninity. My position. how
ever, remains unchanged
Only Wants Results.
I'm other words. il Congress desires TO
invest the Co. missioners with the au-
thority which has been requested. that
responsibility VIII be discharged with all
possible fidelity. r. on the other hand.
Congress enacts the measure 70 which
ChairIfan Smith is giving such wise and
earnest attention, I am sure that the Sc
lection Of the experts by President Roose-
welt will result in the accomplishment OF
much good.
The necessity for the appointment OF
some agency whereby the relations be-
tween the citizens and the public service
corporations can be adjusted in a thor
Ough, practical, and bUsinesslike man
ner,' continued Commissioner West, is
becoming More and more apparent Dis
putes are constantly arising as 70 the
Z
or the alleged exorbitant figure at which
public commodities. such as gas or the
telephone service, are supplied. Constant
I agitation is bound 20 affect injurlOusly
the value Of securities: but. az the same
time, II the agitation is just and reforms
are necessary. those reforms should be
instituted after the shortest possible
period Of uncertainty consistent with
complete inquiry into all the facts by a
/ competent tribunal
Occupy Peculiar Position.
1T should be remembered. OF course. that
public service corporations occupy a pc
culiar position in that they enjoy monop-
olies which the public is compelled 20
patronize. and the public. therefore. is
entitled to the very best service which can
be rendered at the lowest possible price
yielding a fair return upon the capital
invested. Any commission which under
takes 10 regulate these public service
corporations must bear IN mind this fun
damental fact. and when. after its in
vestigaton. a decision has been honestly
and impart!alIy reached, the ruthoriry 20
enforce that decision ought TO be incon-
testable
i agree most heartily with Chairman
Smith" said Mr.. West in conclusion,
that Washington ought 20 become a
/ model in its treatment OF the public
service corporations, and I shall cooper
ate most earnestly with him in his efforts
to secure legislative action. be is a man
who is eminently fair and who would not
willingly do an injustice, and any plan
which he may evolve Will be conceived in
this judicial spirit"
His Former Suggestion.
y IT presenting his suggestion to the Com
missioners for a public utilities commits
sion. Commissioner West emphasized the
numerous achievements in Washington IN
advanced municipal administration. such
as the Juvenile Court, the conversion Of
alleys into minor streets, the condemna~
tion Of insanitary buildings. the develop
ment OF the playground idea. &C, and
then argued for the appointment OF a
public utilities commission as follows:
Somewhere between the two extremes
| OF public demand and corporate inaction
there ought to be a plan OF equitable ar
rangement, some platform on which both
sides can stand. IN willing agreement.
The determination OF the numerous and
vexatious questions which arise between
the corporations and the public might
!
mission, such as has been created in New
York with beneficial results. The ap-
pointment Of a commission OF this char
acter should be authorized by Congress.
Five Members Enough.
TT should consist of not less than three
nor more than five members, who should
be chosen by the President Of the United
States FOR their practical experience, bust
ness ability, thorough acquaintance with
local conditions. and their recognized in
tegrity and impartiality. They should be
given ample powers and should be re-
quired TO make annual reports 10 Con-
gress Of the work performed by them dur
ing each year. with detailed statements of
the nature Of eacl complaint and of the
facts which influenced the settlement Of
each question.
Under the present system there IS no
method OF reaching a prompt and salts
factory adjustment Of public grievances.
Appeals for more adequate street car
service and for a better quality or larger
extent OF illumination, for instance must
go unheeded because no authority Is
lodged anywhere. except in Congress. to
undertake investigation, and Congress,
| as experience has shown. Is not always
in session when questions arise. nor ca
| its members be reasonably expected o
sacrifice all their time 10 the full con-
sideration of involved local problems.
Must Have Power.
IF the proposed public utilities COM
mission is to accomplish beneficial re-
suits. it should be invested with all the
powers possessed by the New York com
mission. which includes the right to in
vestigate accidents. determine rates. or
] der changes in street car schedules de-