The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-26
PEOPLE HOSTILE TO
PUBLIC UTILITIES
Electric Light Men Discuss ALI
Phases of Work
TOO MUCH SECRECY
Arthur Huey of Chicago Says Much
of the Prejudice Against CorpoP-
ations Is Undeserved But
Lot of 1t Is Deserved

st. Louis, May 25.-The twentyfifth an
niversary of the National Electric Light.
association was observed at the general
session tonight. E. A. Sperry of New
York, who was one of the leaders in the
organization of the movement. delivered
an address, in which he reviewed the
progress of the association.
Several of the speakers declared the
public utilities corporations themselves
were responsible for the hostility with
which they are regarded by a certain ele-
ment of the public er~t 81 -rfff>
Arthur Huey of Chicago received much
applause when he said corporations
should be- less secretive concerning their
affairs. afa-e6 s-4
1.-The hostility and prejudice against
utility companies throughout the country
Is largely undeserved. 1t is caused by a
great deal of misunderstanding and per-
centage of truth" said Arthur S. Huey
TO the delegates.
The speakers topic was "Commercialism
In the Central Station" and criticism and
advice mingled largely in. his telk. Among
other things he said
IT venture the assertion that at least
rs per cent of public ill-feeling against
utility organizations has been caused by
the failure of operating companies to
take pains to please their customers.
ION the other hand hundreds of oper-
Hting companies are now straining every
nerve to do eevrything which can reason
ably be expected of them. And these eff
forts are meeting with public recogni-
ton. although complete appreciation is a
plant of slow growth.
People are realizing more than ever
before that there are two sides to these
questions; that the public owes as many
obligations to a progressive public serv-
ice organization as the corporation owes
TO the public.
Il regret any opposition to the growing
tendency toward the creation of state
commissions empowered with regulatory
authority over utility companies. Per-
sonally, welcome this movement, be-
cause I see in it great opportunities for
good to public and corporations alike. "
In conclusion he said: THE time ha S
come to quit regarding all consumers with
the commence ana respect common 10
ordinary business transactions. The con-
sumner with a complaint should not be re-
garded as a fool or a crook. He should
be accepted as part of the days work
to be dealt with as cheerfully and as
carefully as the most persuasive effort
Of the new business department."
Looking toward the day when cleo
tricity shall be the servant of the farm
er as 1T is now of the manufacturer
Herman Russell of Rochester, n. Y.
opOke of the use of electricity in IT.
rigation of farm lands. He said in
: -part: 81 sr.
1.-THE farmer of the future to be
successful must in SO far as possible
be Independent of the elements. Then
he must put himself in a position which
will enable him to get the most pos
eible out of his land.
II believe 1T is essential to sup
Element our rainfall by irrigation.
1--WE go to pains to insure our homes
End places of business against loss by
fire, and yet we stand idly by and
watch our farms burn up
M ut is now time that the farmer ev-
erywhere take out drouth insurance by
Installing an irrigating system.
IT look forward to time not fal
distant when electric lines in this
country will be as common rs tele
phone and telegraph lines are to-
day" ttss t-~ttrtr