The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-08-07
BILL BAD;
 DEFEAT IT Former Governor Woodruff Declares Barnum's Bill
 Wicked Legislation PERMITS FRANCHISES
 TO BE MORTGAGED
Thus Public Service Corpor- ations May Issue Stock
 that Costs Them Nothing
Jokers in Utilities Legisla. tion Favored by Corpora
 tions Are Deftly Exposed

New Haven, Aug. 7.-Severely criti- cising the so-called Barnum public utilities measure and characterizing it as step backwards. ex-Governor Rol- lin s. Woodruff today issued a state ment on the public utilities question now before the General Assembly. Af- ter saying that the statement is made at the request of a large number of people, he says:
 During my administration as Gov ernor I proposed the establishment of a public utilities commission to which their complaints of improper service or much interested dei tn tIe discussion us of aeis bill now before the General Assembly. tee of public utilities raised to consider the establishment of public utilities commission has reported a bill com monly known as the Barnum bill. This bill has had my careful consider ation. The argument made for it is that 1t is a step forward. BELIEVE TT IS A STEP BACKWARD.
 "(a)-The bill provides for a commis- sion of three persons to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. WHY IS THE HOUSE OMITTED? It occurs to me that both branches of the General As sembly should have equal authority in confirming the appointment of the public utility commission.
 "(b)-The people of this State are most anxious to have adequate and proper supervision of steam and cleo trfc railroads. This bill entirely omits them from it's provision. This is in- excusable.
 ''(c)LThe bill completely fails to re- strict over-capitalization and it per mits as you will see by reference to section z, the Issuing of stock for the improvement of the service rendered' by the public service corpora lions fn- cluded in this bill. THIS LANGUAGE sro6R sS EKoAD M0 EMogGH pS 1ssI To , PERMIT TT OPERATING EXPENSES.
 If there is single well established proposition in corporate management 1t is this, that the operating expenses should be paid out of income.
 The bill also permits and directs the commission to authorize the issuing of bonds to 50 per cent. appraised value of both property and franchise. WHY SaOULD A PUBLIC SERVICE COR A FRANCHISE WHICH IS GIVEN TO THEM BY THE PEOPLE AND THEN TURN AROUND AND MAKE THD PEoPLB WHICH COSTS THE CORPORATION 
 ''The very purpose of a public utili- ties commission is to prevent the ap- praising or capitalization of a fran
 
 of rates. This clause gives no relief. In it are the possibilities of the great est harm. If corporations are thus by law permitted to capitalize their franchises, the water which represents the franchise in the bonds or stock is- sues become legalized, and the people of this State and their children's chill dren will be compelled to pay a rate sufficient to yield a dividend on this water. >.
 "(d)-Section of the bill takes from the Superior court the Jurisdiction in cases for the use of the by imposing upon it .addi- tional burden not included in the ease ment of highway The Jurisdiction of the Superior court in condemnation cases should not be disturbed
 "(e)-For some reason which is not apparent the standard candle power of gas is reduced.
 "6)-The bill confers but few pow CTS uponi the commissioners and a crit [ca1 examination of these powers show that they are delusfve. The bill is so worded that the commissioners who may be appointed can do but little for the benefit of the people. It would be mistake to create a commission which must be of considerable expense to the State without adequate powers. It seems probable that the services they could render under this bill would not Justify the expense of their main l tenance.
 ''The Barnum bill is now pending be- fore the House and may be under con- sideration Tuesday next. AS STREN- | UOUS EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO PASS TT. TT SEEMS TO BE THE DUTY OF ALL CITIZENS, REGARD LESS OF POLITICS. TO DO THEIR UTMOST TO DEFEAT TT.
 (Signed)
 "ROLLIN S. WOODRUFF"