Evening journal., 1910-09-10
sATURDAY. sEPT. 10. IoIO
NEW GAS COMPANY TALK.

a UR evening contemporary says there is ta,k
~ Of a new gas company in Wilmington. II
is said that a charter IS TO be procured and the
Street and Sewer directors are to De asked Tor
franchise Stories like this float around periodi
cally We are always going to have new gas
companies and new lighting companies and other
new public service corporations Ii is a rather
overworked field for promoters and spectators.
Probably one out of a dozen schemes OF this
kind have real basis that is any legitimate idea
OF constructing gas works other public utili-
ties But a little money may be raised, bonds is
.Sucd there is a vision OF getting some persons
Ahuv the bonds there are fanctul pictures OF
2IAsxor that will be inspired in the minds OF
Nc stock in the present corporations and
hother picture of selling out to the
les at a handsome profit The scheme
Worked successfully in the past and GER
Sns and business men so-ealled, have
NNsiderable money by such manipu-
cry competition. That is the bait
people and aid promoters OF new
Ne have not seen how the people
ave been benefited. We have
~ feieph0fe companies when one would answer
.ae purpose We have enjoyed for while, comr
eution in electric lighting and power and ye<hre
thankful for that, but that day is no more Com
petition Of public service corporations is but fleet
ing. II we granted some cotere of capitalists
a gas franchise and a bluff was made at placing
pipes in the street, we should not have competi-
ton but one company would absorb the other.
We are inclined TO agree therefore with our
evening neighbor in its restrictions on granting
franchises, but there our agreement ceases. III
no franchises are grghted0the monopolists control
the situation Our neighbors attitude is to let
the people rest in the hands of the monoposts
trusting that they will act with almost divine wis
dom in serving the people. Well, we are not at
this time going to jump on the monoposts but
when we say we are satisfied win one gas COM
FOR arlp We add nd ic he
ant pont-that such monopoly should be regu-
lated and restricted by Public Utilities Commits
sion. Our evening neighbor is opposed to a Pub
lie Utility Commission, advancing nonsensical rea-
sons for its opposition Therefore il must favor
unrestrained and unrestricted monopoly with no
look in for the people, In other words monopoly
is to enjoy itself as it peases charge rates to suit
its fancy, and the people from whom the franchises
are obtained are TO get little if anything.
What is being done in other states is told ir
a despatch from Albany. The Public Service Com
mission OF the upstate has recently assumed Jurs
dction over the telephone and telegraph com
panies operating in New York The new law i
similar to that which has been in force over othe
public service corporations for several years
Under the new law telephone and telegraph com
panies are required to afford adequate service a
Just and reasonable rates and discrimination il
favor OF any particular person or corporation, an
in giving any unreasonable preference of any kin
is prohibited Issues of stocks bonds and othe
forms of indebtedness must be approved by th
commission.
Competition in public service utilities has paye
out. Regulation is the proper method. And
that is not done the city of Wilmington will 500
be at the mercy Of monopolistS Then there vii
be plenty of grumbng and growing.
Even from the point of view of the publ
service corporations themselves we see no reason
able objection TO a Public Service Commission 7
be sure some Of them threw At over the mil
declaration of the Republican platform at Dove
n respect to the Public Utilities Commission, bu
e do not see why they should be agitsted. Ism
better for them 20 have a Commission than I
ave franchises granted to alleged rival eompsnie
and promoters who then come hat in HAND askin
for contributions 10 buy out the new franchise
The Journal thinks So
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