The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-11-27
THE PUBLIC UTIII-
TIES COMMISSION

TIES COMMISSION
1t aims to reach the telephone ani
telegraph companies, express com
panies, sleeping car companies. light
ing companies, power companies
street car and interurban railway
companies. Such commission exists
In New York and this year the Illinois
legislature will be asked to create
something similar. New York, in
fact. has two such commissions, one
for Greater New York and the other
covering the state other than the
greater city. The New York commits
siops consist Of five members each,
whose salaries are $4,000 per year,
The state appropriates $780, 900
for one and the city more than mil
lion year for the other.
The proposed Illinois commission
bill, which has been adopted and will
be fathered by State Senator Ettelson
of Chicago, provides for seven COM
missioners at salary of $4,000 a
year each, a general counsel at a
similar salary and a secretary at
$4,000 per annum.
The powers of the commission are
clearly defined by the Ettelson bill.
Irrespective of complaints that may
be made to them by any citizen, they
may act on their own iniative. They
may pass upon the issue of stocks and
bonds, examine the properties of the
public utility corporations affected by
the act, require detailed reports, and
prescribe reasonable rates for rail
roads, gas, electric and telephone
companies, require adequate and inn
partial service, provide for the safety
of employees and for the protection of
the public, and generally direct what
ever may be necessary to save public
interests and to secure fulfillment of
the public obligations Of the corpora
tions under its jurisdiction. 1t also
makes provision for suitable inspec-
ton Of the corporations and fixes GER
tain penalties in event of disobedience
of its ORDERS
No person in its employ from the
messenger to the commissioner is
permitted to procure or suggest any
one for employment in any corpora
ton over which 1t has supervision,
and free passes are entirely abolished,
save that transportation may be given
to newspapers or other publications
in exchange for genuine advertising.
The bill gives to the people the
right to appeal to the commission
whenever any public utility company
is guilty Of abuse and the commission
is called to investigate. At the same
time the bill affords protection to the
corporation against undue advantage
being taken by vicious compliments
who attempt to use the commission
for Interior or mercenary purposes.
The consumer of gas who is ag-
grieved by alleged overcharges; those
who use electric light and find defec-
tive motors; the telephone subscriber
who claims to be imposed upon; the
shipper of merchandise and the
traveller who is compelled to subject
himself to arbitrary rules and regu-
lations of railroads will find protec-
ton in this public utilities commits
sion. A clause to protect the corpor-
alton from common sort Of financial
jugglery and prevent the formation
of holding companies" and trusts,
forbidding the transfer of more than
10 per cent Of the capital stock to
any stock corporation, is one Of the
conspicuous features.
The commission can subpoena wit
nesses and hold Investigations. The
bill prohibits all unjust discrimina-
lions by whatever device, all unrea-
sonalble preferences, all false billing
by carrier or by shipper and all pref
erential treatment in any respect. 1t
also contains a prohibition against
greater charge for short haul than
for long haul. but permits for good
cause shown a proper charge in speci-
fic cases.
Penalties ranging from $1,000 to
$4,000 are imposed upon public SER
vice corporations for violation of acts
Or failure to obey orders of the COM
mission, and any officer or director Of
4 public utility corporation who aids
Or abets in any violation is guilty of
/ misdemeanor and can be prose-
,uted.
The articles dealing with railroads,
common carriers, gas, electricity and
telephones in order to secure uni
ormity have been made to conform
o the interstate commerce laws
rhere there would be similar duty
Il !.