New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-15
FAVORS PUBLICITY
CONTIGUOUS SPEECH.
Refers Broadly to Latitude
Giren II. s.. {. Here.

The members Of the National Commercial
Gas Association gathered last night In tne
concert hall at Madison Square Garden 10
hear ex-Secretary Cortelyou. now presi-
dent OF the Consolidated Gas Company. dis
cuss public utility corporations and the
public attltu1e toward them. His remedy
for any lack OF cordiality there might De
in this attitude was publicity. You put
the people in position 10 be just and fair
when you are frank with them.' he said
They know that men cannot be expect
ed TO engage In the lighting industry. any
more than In any other. that capital Is not
attracted to business undertakings, unless
a fair profit is assured" continued Mr.
CorteIyou. 'iand unless initiative and in
ventive genius and business sagacity shall
have ample room for their expression and
for their reward.
Great as America is among the CONNER
cial nations Of the world we shall yet
stifie her growth and injure her producers
and consumers alike IL we put too severe
restrictions upon these elements essential
10 her prosperity. Let there be the safe
guards OF regulation or supervision. or
whatsoever may be the designation of that
official oversight which honest men need
not fear. and which. IF intelligently and
fearlessIy exercised. can do justice TO cor
poration and citizen alike.
But let IL be clearly understood that
supervision does not mean management and
that YOU cannot put unjust burdens or I'M
Just limitations upon the corporation and In
the same breath exact the best service and
this lowest rates"
Mr.. Cortelyou emphasized the distinction
between supervision and administration by
commission, insisting that the latter would
M
act on the prosperity OF the country. He
plainly disapproved OF the latitude given
the Public Service Commission by the law
IN this state But he instanced the courts
as a safeguard against abuse OF its power.
and called attention TO the recent decision
Of the Court OF Appeals in favor OF the
Delaware & Hudson Railroad Continuing.
he said:
Speaking broadly. I firmly believe that.
In the first instance. the public is much
more concerned in the character OF the
IL pays for such service. and i wish that
in the proper regulation OF our corporations
this consideration might receive greater
weight.
What I am saying is certainly plain
enough To admit of no misconception. but
1 will put il in another form to make mis-
understanding impossible.
What the public wants and must and
will have are efficient service, fair and i'm
llcity of corporate business affairs as will
leave no reasonable man in doubt that the
relation between the corporation and the
public is one consistent with the rights OF
both.
I believe that UNNECESSARILY the greatest
immediate benefit that can come to public
utility corporations will be through taking
the people into their confidence. When
they have done this they have tmpregnable
ground from which TO defend themselves
against unjust attack.
At the opening session yesterday after
noon the following officers were elected:
President, T. y. Wrightington, OF Boston:
first vice-president. II. b. Mclean, OF New
York: second vice-president, Carl III. Graf.
OF Indianapolis; third vice-president. A. v.
Wainwright. OF New York: secretary. L. :.
Bigelow. Of New York; treasurer, p. :.
Young. Of Newark, y. j.
Three miles OF piping were used under the
floor OF Madison Square Garden 10 furnish
the gas TO the exhibition OF the association.
which will continue 10 December .. II was
Illuminated for the first time last night.
when the work was completed. and will be
opened 20 the public tomorrow. To-day
and tonight the exhibition will be given
over TO the members and their invited
guests.