Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-06-09

Hartford. June S.-The hearing on
the public utilities bill held this art
ernoon on the floor of the house Tor
the purpose of allowing members OF
the general assembly chance 10 ASK
questions regarding and also to allow
those who had not already been heard
10 express their views was one OF the
most interesting of the hearings as
yet held. Among other things several
speakers took the present railroad
commission to task, but when ques-
toned were not able to cite any IN
stance where the commission had done
any wrongful act The members OF the
general assembly were also assailed as
not being altogether trustworthy and
a democrat announced that there Is
nut one party in Connecticut, as the
corporations dictate to the heads of
both the republican and democratic
organizations.
Bridgeport Man First Complainant.
The first speaker was William
Lamsden of Bridgeport, who, COM
Dlained that he was unable 10 get
electric power, though the company
had wires running within block and
q half of his place OF business.
w. F. Allen of the state business
mems association read a paper in
which he showed the need of a COM
mission.
Representative Bennett of Norwalk
told of the work done by the South
Horwalk municipal electric plant and
showed that it has saved the city
Sf6Q.43s in the past fifteen years and
that It sells electricity In small guam
titles at ten cents per XVIII. and that
sn large quantities at three cents
per XVIII. He also stated that the
city had been offered s150.000 in cash
for the plant within few days past.
Ought to Be Tribunal of Some Kind.
Senator Peck said that he believed
firmly In the establishment of com
mission, as It would save a great deal
OF friction and take much labor off
che shoulders of the general assem-
bly,. He thought that there ought to
be q tribunal of some kind where the
people could go and make their COM
plaSpts and be heard and the troubles
ssTpedied. He also criticised the
freight rates of the New York, New
Haven a. Hartford railroad and
Thought that the service had not been
Rs good as II ought, and that when
the panbe struck, they discharged their
Enen hntll there were not enough to
that ne had heard that the New York
rentxAl railroad had held an option
on the Ontario & Western which had
only recently expired. Attorney Rob-
snson ior the road was asked if such
was the case and replied that he did
mot know.
Flop Overs.
Representative Dunn Of wiliimantic
said that he thought that the stand
ard bearers Of the democratic party
who before the election had been loud
ly In favor OF public utilities COM
mission, would flop over and side with
the corporations agaianst the people.
We have but one party in this state
feday, and IL makes no difference
whether the commission is non-par-
THAR or not" He thought that it
U19ht to be a commission of FIVE men
and stated that 1t will be only a few
years before one &g corporation COM
prtsing the electric light, gas. water
compertss and the roads would CON
troI the state and then the public
woxld wish that it had commission.
Asainst the Bill on Hitherto Unmen-
toned Grounds.
George NJ Wallace of New Haven
was tfSa next speaker and ne appeared
against the public utilities bill on
grounds which had not as yet been