The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-08-27
VALUABLE
 OR OTHERWISE

OR OTHERWISE
 The Publicity committee of the State Business Mems association continues to receive answers to its questions relative to a public utilities commis- sion. So far as we have noticed, not one of the prospective legislative can- didates has expressed an open, posi- tive refusal to endorse the project. Some have qualified their approval; others thave suggested amendments to the association bill.
 Perhaps the most amusing reply comes from Thomas J. wall of Tor rington, who asks, what can the Business Mems Association do for me in return for my pledge for sup port?S Or in other words, what help can the Business Mems Association be to pe to procure my nomination provfded I a1d right on public utfli- ties?' MT. Wall evidently believes that the association is seeking some exclusive benefit for itself and should be willing to grant a return favor. It is rather more than singular that a man of intelligence can so misun- derstand a public issue which has been widely discussed for several years. If elected to the General As sembly and asked by interested cor porations to vote against a, public utilities bill. would MT. Wall reply. .'What can you do for me-? -r4,
 Attorney F. J. Reeves of waterbury. who favors the principles underlying the association bill, criticizes the, pres ent system of representation whereby towns with an aggregate population of 169 have 115 representatives in the general assembly. while New Ha- ven with a population of 10000 has two. such representatives,'' and de- clares that in his opinion 'fno sub stantia1 or lasting advancement will ever be made in protecting the people of this state from exploitation by public service corporations. ., or in cleansing the capitol of Legislative manipulation and corruption, until the rotten system of representation in this state has been changed to a truly representative one" Mir. Reeves has evidently in mind the fact that the over-represented towns are but slight ly interested in the public utilities question as compared with the under represented cities, boroughs and other populative centers.
 William N. Thoms of Waterbury, approves the purpose of the associa- tion's bill, but suggests that it would be wise to provide that not all of the membership of the commission should be of one political party, since as the powers of the commission for good are very great, so are it's powers for evil should it become an arm of any poli- tical machine" The suggestion seems an excellent one.
 Richard J. Higgins of Winsted, be- lieves that "a spirit of friendliness and cooperation should exist between public service corporations and the consuming or patronizing public" and that "a commission clothed with suf- ficient power should be created to stand between their conflicting inter- ests, protect their rights and adjust tions at this time should seriously oppose a conservative supervision of their franchise privileges, it will ul- timately result in a more or less drastic measure with a full set of worries"
 Frederick D. Ballou of Jewett City, favors the project but asks, Would it not perhaps be more in line with the present Progressive Movement if the members of the commission should be elected by popular vote"
 The above quotations are made, not as completing the record but because each carries a suggestion of some kind. Possibly, the suggestion may not meet with fhe associations, or the peoples, or the coming Legisla- lures approval, yet they possess value If no better reason than that they prove the question to be un- der serious consideration throughout the State, which is one of the pur- poses of the Business Mems associa- ton in sending out it's query.
 It is already apparent that the Bus mess Mems bill will not be accepted by the General Assembly in it's pres ent form. Amendments will be of fered and perhaps adopted, or an, en- tire substitute measure mayfrbe' re- ported Such amendments, and such substitute if reported, should be close ly examined for little jokers", call culated to lessen the commissions power, or to permit it's construction from anti-popular material.
 Present indications are that a pub lie utilities bill will be enacted, with out open opposition by the corpora tions, unless possibly in the Senate. Corporate influence will probably be exercised to effect amendments de- signed to deprive the commission of anything more than an empty, value less superivision. The closest watch must be maintained, or the peoples interest will not be served.
 T will" said Col. Roosevelt in one