The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-03
Commissioners mcfarland
Reports Against Pro-
posed Bill.
WOULD TEST OUT
CONTROL METHOD
Believes Regulation of Private
MOnopolieS Promises Best
Service.

That the Commissioners submit to
Congress an unfavorabIe report on the
bill introduced by Representative Jen-
kins providing for the acquisition by
the District OF the electric lighting and
gas companies was the recommendation
made by Commissioner Macfarland to-
day.
Il believe there is no place in the
United States where the municipal op-
Grafton Of public utilities would have
less difficulties than I'm the District,
chiefly because IL is free from partisan
politics" said the report to the Com
missioners. THE successful operation
Of the water supply system illustrates
what can be done.
Time Not Ripe.
But I believe that municipal owner
snip Of public utilities ought not 10 be
extended until IL has been demonstrated
that public regulation of public utility
corporations has failed to produce as
good results as might be expected from
the public operation OF public utilities
j do not believe that the time has come
10 recommend the municipal ownership
OF public utilities ether than the water
supply in the District, because we have
not had a trial OF suitable regulation of
the public utility corporations by public
authority.
1T is for this reason that the Com
u4issiOners have recommended for the
past two years TO Congress that they
should be clothed with the powers of
a public service commission, with au-
thoTity and means 10 employ experts
as they might be needed, so as effeC-
lively 70 regulate the operation of the
public service corporations OF the Dis
trict, including street railway and tel
ephOne companies as well as the gas
and electric light companies
Civic Federation Report
Commissioner AIacfarland's conclu-
sions are based largely upon the report
Of the National Civic Federation, OF
which he was a member. The fedora
ton inquired carefully into the Ques-
tion of municipal ownership in the
United States and Great Britain.
It reported:
''First-Public utilities, whether in
public or in private hands, are best
conducted under q system OF Iegalized
and regulated monopoly
'Second-Public utilities in which the
sanitary motive largely enters should
be operated By the public.
Ihird-Ihe success OF muniCipal Oper-
alton Of public utilities depends upon
the existence in the city of a high ca
pacity for municipal government
'Fourtn-Franchise grants 10 private
coporauons should be terminable after
q lXed period and meanwhile subject
70 purchase at d fair value.
Should Have Power.
"Fifth-AIunicipalitie should have
power TO enter the field Of municipal
ownership upon popular vote under
reasonable regulation.
'Sixth-Private companies operating
public utilities should be subject to pub
lie regulation and examination under O.
system Of uniform records and accounts
and Of fun publicity.
Seveuth-The committee takes no
position on The question Of the general
expediency OF either private OF public
ownership. The question must be soIv-
ed by each municipality in the light of
local conditions. What may be possible
IN one locality may not be ia another.
In some cities the companies may SO
serve the public as to create no dis
satisfaction and nothing might be gain
cd by experimenting with municipal
Ownership.
Again, the government of one city
may be good and capable of taking
charge OF these public utilities. while III
another IL may be the reverse i'm eItI or
case the people mus remember that i-
requires a large class ol able men as
city officials 10 look after these mat
tiers. They must also remember that
municipal ownership viii create "a large
class OF employees who may have more
or less political influence