New-York tribune., 1910-01-20
POWERS OF STATES
GOVERNORS SPEAK.
FaUor Control of Public UtiK-
ties-Her Mr.. Bryce.

Washington, Jan. Estates rights
was the burden of most of the addresses
delivered at the conference of governors
to-day. with particular reference to the
conservation of resources and the regu-
lation and supervision of public service
corporations. An interchange OF views on
these two subjects showed a unaninity of
opinion as to the necessity for state ac-
tivity.
A feature of the afternoon session was
speech by Ambassador Bryce who believed
the conference would emphasize the i'm
portance of the governorship, and that the
executive of each state was coming more
and more TO be regarded as the personal
representative of the people of his COM
munity.
Governor Eberhart of Minnesota intro
duced resolutions defining the Jurisdiction
or the state and federal courts in ques-
uons involving interstate commerce. They
were referred TO committee Of five, con-
sisting Of Governors Fort OF New Jersey
Harmon of Ohio, Burke of North Dakota,
Prouty OF Vermont and Ansel of South
Carolina
Seth Low laid before the meeting a num-
Der OF resolutions which had been adopted
by the Civic Federation relating particu-
The two sessions to-day were followed
by dinner at the White House tonight
Governor Quinby of New Hampshire
opened the morning session with an ad-
dress on conservation of natural resources
Governor Wilson of Kentucky declared
that the state had the right to control
water power, and that the federal gov
ernment did not have a scintilla OF right
TO it.
Governor Carroll of Iowa said he was in
sympathy with the movement for uniform
laws for the states.
GOVERNOR FORTS ADDRESS.
Governor Fort OF New Jersey declared
the time had come for the states to con-
troll more of those things which they have
hitherto passed in silence, including water
power. He said, in part:
The great difficulty up TO this time has
oeen TO secure any kind OF cooperation
between the companies and the state The
eHort has been, by all sorts of methods
70 make IL appear that supervision and
regulation were not necessary and were
have failed to appreciate to the fufI he
advantages which would accrue TO them
through such commission. These condl-
lions are now changing. The farseeing
corporation official now recognizes that
pubic sentiment demands regulation by
the state, in the interests of the peoule
or all the companies operating under public
franchises for public service and private
gain.
The problem is not an easy one to solve.
There are questions Of difficulty in all
directions. State supervision has it's lin
itauons. II should not be extended 10
practically amount to government owner
ship. Nor should it assert actual control
in any way. 1t should be strictly confined
OF initiative in an administrative state
board can only cause embarrassment. The
power of revision and review will answer
every purpose. When no wrong exists no
rectors Of public serving companies should
be given a free hand 10 manage and direct
their corporate affairs and business. Only
when complaint is made of the fairness
right or reason for state Interference, even
for regulatfve purposes. Let the statutes
define, with precision. the powers and obli-
cations OF directors in administering their
state be given authority TO meet and COR
rect any inequalities or injustice which
directors may permit or encourage
Governor Draper of Massachusetts said
the states should own and control the
water power of their streams It would be
impossible for Massachusetts, to gain con-
borders at this late date, since nearly all
the power Of streams had been developed
for a long time
Governor Hughes of New York considered
the forests among the states most precious
possessions, and said the state, so far as
it could. should own and preserve them
He advocated the development and state
control of water power.
The Governors will hold a final session
tO-nOrrow