New-York tribune., 1909-07-21
FRAMES RADICAL BILL
p. S. QUESTION ON TAP.
Minority Measure to Come Before
Connecticut Legislature.
[Ry Telegraph to The Tribune. ]


Hartford, Conn. July 20.-Athough it was gen
orally understood that there would he no minority
report of the special committee the public utili-
ties bill the minority, consisting of Representatives
Chandler and Wilton. created some surprise to-day
by announcing that they would report a minority
bill tomorrow. The minority bill is quite as radl-
cal as the first public utilities bill. which was
turned down by the judiciary committee and both
branches of the General Assembly.
1t provides for a commission of five members. win
salaries of s. 900 each yearly It abolishes The Rail-
road Commission and vests its powers in the new
commission The use by any commissioner OF his
official authority influence to interfere with an
election affect the results thereof and active
participation by any commissioner in political man
agement in political campaigns shall constitute
for his removal
One member of the commission must he q lawyer
another a capable and experienced civil engineer
The members of the commission are to be nomi-
mated by the Governor and appointed by the Gen
eral Assembly. are judges of the Superior Court
The bill further provides for
The publication of annual reports Of gas, electric
and water companies.
Adequate auditing powers in the commission
Adequate supervision of the issue Of stock ana
by public service corporatio but with Que
regard for struggling companies
Supervision of service rendered BY public ser
vice corporations
vice corporations.
Power order repairs necessary Tor phbiIc
safety.
The bill reported by the majority makes no ade-
quate provision for any OF these things
The general opinion here tonight is that TINS
bill will have chance or passing the Senate H.
indeed it passes the House, on the other hand
the House does not look with favor upon the Bar
bill, the majority measure, and it Is believed
will refuse to pass it,
1t is freely asserted tonight that the appearance
of the minority bill will cause a deadlock. proba-
l,l,. IN inda pOct0OupmeOt In the
reference of the question to the next Genera AS
sembly.
There seems to be little question of the Senate
passing the Barnum bill The Senate is the con-
servative body. as usual while the present House
is considered the most radical In the history Of Con
necticut General Assemblies.
Two Governors have expressed their beIef IN the
adyisability of creating a public utilities colhinis
sion. They were Ex-Governor Rollin 5. woodruff
and the late Governor George l.. Lilley- The pres
ont Governor Frank B. Weeks. who elected
Lieutenant Governor, and came into the Governors
chair through the death of Mr. Llley, has not pup
licy expressed his views on the question
When the vituperative campaign which ended IN
the election of Mr.. Lilley Governor opened. Ny
IilIey made the subject OF public utilities com
mission one Of the planks in his platform. although
the platform of the party had nothing about a pup-
lie utilities commission in it. And so. while Gov
ernor Lilley was committed 70 the idea OF PupHo
utilities commission. the party which no~@nated
him for Governor was not thus committed
The Rarnum bill. which will he introduced In the
Senate Tomorrow leaves the railroads where thNS
we're under the supervision Of the Railroad Com
mission and the new commission, II created. would
have nothing TO do with them at al. II deals "ith
taIephone lighting and water companies. but II does
not touch upon the electric or gas companies Teia-
tive 10 the product they furnish for heating pur-
poses The bill provides for thre" commissioners
their salaries he $4,000 year. the amount the
Railroad Commissioners receive.
Under the provisions of the proposed law tho com
rnissoncrs would have jurisdiction over the munio-
ipaIlv owned plants unless such meaning would
he contrary the manifest general intention or
this act " That phrase is hothertng 2 good many
rersons Under the first public utilities hill drawn
the municipality owned plants we're not Included
at all