The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-01
THRASHING IT OUT
Opposition to Public Utilities
Bill Develops.
Representatives OF Corporations
Attend Committee Hearing.
HAMILTON TELLS WHY
Shawnee Senator Explains Pro-
visions of Measure.
Admits That Provision to Fix
Rates Is Drastic.


utilities bill. introduced by Senator
Clad Hamilton. developed this morning
at the hearing on the bill held before
the senate judiciary committee This
act is understood to be the adninIstra-
ton measure and even its most san
guine friends hardly expected that it
would be received with any hilarious
acclaim of delight by the corporation
interests; hence the combative attitude
of the corporation representatives fur
uished no surprise
Among those in attendance at the
hearing were representatives of public
service corporations affected by the
bill from Topeka and from other cities
over the state. The morning session
was devoted to an explanation OF the
various provisions by Senator HamiI-
ton. with frequent Interruptions on the
part Of the corporation representatives
and member Of the committee A.
1920 the hearing was adjourned until
$50 this afternoon, when further OPP
portunity viii be given for discussing
and disseeting the ITO sections
tt was indicated as a result of the
hearing this morning that there Will
likely be a number of amendments 70
the measure before it is reported back
to the senate by the judiciary commit
tee. Among other things, it is believed
the bill will exempt country telephone
lines maintained by groups OF Farmers
plying with the requirements or the
bill: also that fnterurban railways VIII
be placed under the jurisdiction OF the
steam railway laws. instead Of under
the public utilities act, and further
that there will probably be a change
in the provision that persons damaged
by any unlawful act Of public service
corporations may recover treole the
amount of damages sustained
The hearing began at $50 O'Clock
this morning with Senator Price,
chairman presiding. Members OF the
committee present were Senators HAM
iIton. Ganse. Reed, Glenn, Myers ana
Brewster Senator Carey was also
present in his capacity of president OF
the Hutchinson street railway and cleo
trio lighting company Other repre-
sentatives Of pubic service cor por1-
lions in attendance were Ihonas r
Dorau and L. E Myers Of the Topeka
Electric Railway and Lighting com
pany, A \ Patten- general superln-
teudeut of the Topeka railway, a a
GODDARD OF the independent Telephone
company D R. GWIuu Of the Pitts
burg kan Water company; r c
Johnston, of the Lawrence Electric
Lighting company; R G rawlings Oh
ChauTte who is interested in an in
teruroan project
Hamilton Explains 1T
Senator Hamilton. member of the
cor1rrr fttee and author of the bill. at
the request of Chairman Price, SPOKE
er7ca to : b No. 80. creating the pub
lie service commission Senator Ham
iIton stated that bill was similar TO the
law creating the state board or railway
commissioners with q few exceptions
THE state railway commission is TO De
merged into the public service COM
mission
act exclaimed Senator Hamilton are
such public service corporations as
operate in towns and centers of popu-
fsffou So far as interurban railways
are concerned he believed they shouLd
he uIaced under the same laws as ap-
pIy to the steam raIlW avs
Senator Hamilton said his Dill has
been modelled after the Wisconsin ana
New York laws on the subject ms
class Of laws, he said, are based on the
general ideas which. he considered
sensible, scientific and just that rates
under the Jurisdiction of competent
persons selected for the purpose rather
1hau under legislatures and city eoun-
els. The bill provides Tor hearings
before the commission prior to the
changing of any rates. and II the or
ders Of the commission are not sarlS-
r. ctorv TO the public utility, the cor
poratfou has recourse 70 the courts
+zr-f1-t7 nav REQUIRE the commission to
reconsider its action or render IL VOID
ssSuupozerF suggested Senator Carey
that a corporation has FRANCHISE Tor
a number of wears which fixes oy con-
tract with the city council a certain
rate; can that contract be abrogated2 -
Il feel certain it can not. the con-
tract must be carried out" replied
Senator Hamilton
The author of the bill explained that
all charges or rates fixed by the COM
mission must be just and reasonable
1t is required 70 MAKE q Vailalon OF
property Of public utilities, but shall
give a hearing before final determine
ton of such valuation The act pro-
vides that the commission snail pre-
Of
ing for the corporations. for the pur-
pose as Senator Hamilton said, OF pre-
ventfue the cOnceaImeut of any facts
or figures needed by the commission in
vision in the bill. however prohibiting
any empIoye giving out any inforua-
ton to anyone, without an order rom
the commission This Is designed to
nrevent q competitor from securing in
formation as to another concerns
business
Admits Tt Is Drastic
As TO section Is. Senator Hamilton
provisions On this point. at least.
the author of the bill held an opinion
that met with the universal agree
ment of the representatives of the
was the sentiment they expressed in
chorus
section IS is in part as follows
The commission shall investigate and
ascertain. from time to time the
quality of the service supplied BY
public utilities: examine methods en-
pIoyed by such public utilities in
manufacturing and supplying gas or
electricity for light heat or power
and IN transmitting the same and IN
the transmitting and distribution Of
natural gas and in storing and
filtration of water and distribution
thereof and have power to order
such improvements as will best pro-
int
public health and protect those using
such gas or electricity or water and