Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-04
JOB FOR COMMISSIONERS
Conference Of Power Upon Them
Meets 0pposition.
DIRECTORS FINALLY YIELD
Committee Explains That Separate
Commission Might Not Obtain
Legislative Approval.


Of q public utilities commission on the
District Commissioners came from two
members Of the Federation Of Citizens'
Associations last night 1t the Chamber
Of Commerce, the draft Of the bill as
set forth In The Star Of yesterday was
finally adopted unanimously.
". II. Richardson and e. ". Oyster
agreed to the proposed bin in every par
ticular. except in respect to shouldering
the job upon the Commissioners. They
argued that the District Commissioner
had all they could do at present with the
regular municipal duties in which they
are now engaged.
Clayton Explains Bill.
The reasons for drawing the bill in the
form presented were explained In detail
by William Nick. Clayton. Afterward
the unanimous vote was cast.
Mr.. Clayton said that he was sure the
President would not agree to a separate
body acting AZ a utilities commission;
that Congress would find objection, and
that, In view Of the fact that the senti-
ment Of all citizens associations seemed
to be that local men should be chosen
for the positions on the commission, the
only way to assure this would be by con-
ferring power on the District Commits
sioners.
Report Of Committee.
In addition to the ADDICTION OF the pro-
posed legislation thu federation Endorsed
the report Of the committee appointed to
draw up the bill. The report, in part,
was as follows:
THE committee appointed at your last
meeting to consider the advisability and
character Of q utilities commission for
the District Of Columbia met on the
25th Of November. 1910.
William NICK. Clayton presented the
case clearly, showing the necessity and
Importance OF such a commission, Civ
ing particularly the differences in the
states which have the most effective laws
on this subject.
THE members OF the committee first
considered the question Of the form Of
commission for the District, whether 1t
should be q commission independent OF
the Commissioners Of the District. or II
the powers OF an utilities commission
should be given them.
''The advantages and disadvantages OF
each form was discussed thoroughly. BY
resolved as best for the interest Of the
District that the Commissioners be given
powers Of an utilities commission. as 1t
would be much less expensive and more
effective to have the control Of such mat.
tiers In one board, which would have the
knowledge OF the bearings and relations
of the various problems to be considered.
Through their ONCE the Commissioners
would have full information and knowl-
edge Of many questions which would
come up before an utilities commission.
Appropriation for Experts.
"It was. after consideration, unani-
mously voted that an appropriation should
be asked for in the bill SUFFICIENT to cover
expert advice on all questions where such
advice would be Of value.
THE next topic taken up was the pow
ers which should be granted to such q
commission. After discussion by the
members Of the committee 1t was unan-
imously voted that the commission
should have all the powers given under
the New jersey law; in brief the con-
troll Of transportation, street and steam
railways. routes, rates, speed, character
Of equipments: the control Of corpora
tons serving the public, like gas, water,
electric lights, telephone companies, with
power to control the character Of serv-
ice and the rates to be charged; that
the commission should have power to
control capitalization OF corporations, in
surance and other companies, to see
that good security as q foundation is
obtained and to prevent watering stock
issues, and the sale Of stock In the Dis
tricf which does not represent a solid