Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-01-04
OF PUBLIC
UTILITIES WANTS
BROADER POWERS

que TO OLHeT dCIS VI Cdfei6S5lcoS Oh thS
part of the persons killed or injured.
1t is stated in the report that many
of tho persons killed or injured We're
trespassers who had no lawful right
Upon the railroad companies proper
ties, 483 t~respassers having been killed
and $50 injured during the three years.
During the same period 9S persons were
killed and 176 injured at grade cross
ipgs. In a number of cases investiga-
tons of accidents disclosed conditions
FALLING for improvement. and many
recommendations made by the board,
based upon examination Of these con-
ditions, have beer adopted by the rail-
road companies.
The report outlines the work of the
department since 1t was recognized
last winter, and then continues:
This board does not hesitate to TX
press its opinion that the legitimate
interests of both the public and the
corporations are better protected by
the policy of requiring local grants OF
privileges to public utility corporations
to be approved by a commission hav-
ing at its command the services of
expert advisers, with special knowledge
OF the SUBJECT of franchise grants to
such corporations.
Passes ON Stock Sales.
Numerous applications have been
made to the board for it's approval of
the issuance, sale and delivery of stock
or other securities to be made by pub
lie utility corporations. AS the condi-
ton of approval is contingent upon the
board being satisfied that the proposed
issuance is to be made in accordance
with the provisions of the law relating
thereto, this has necessarily required
interpretations of the law by the board.
In several instances changes have been
required in the proceedings leading up
to the applications for approval. it APP
pearing that the proposed issuance,
sale and delivery was to be made with
out full compliance with the provisions
Of the law"
After outlining the work Which has
been done toward requiring public
utility corporations to maintain a ui.i-
form system of accounts the report
deals with some of the important ques-
lions which have been raised under the
act of last winter. 1t Is pointed out
that the jurisdiction Of the board and
it's extent have raised serious ques-
lions. 1t is submitted that an effective
administration of the statute requires
that these doubts should not be left
to be determined by the necessarily
slow process of judicial proceeding, but
should promptly be set at rest by fur
Their legislation.
lowing to the fact that improve
ments are still being made in the
methods of gas manufacture, it is ques-
tionable IL the standards of service
should be fixed by statute. In the
opinion of the board 1t would be wise
to repeal the old avs fixing standards
for gas n give to the board power to
fix a reasonable standard n to alter
and amend the same from time to time
10 meet the varying conditions of the
art" the report continue ut would
also be advisable to give the board the
right to adopt and fix by general order
standards of service supplied by cleo
trio lighting, street railway, water, tele-
phone and other public utility corpora
tons subject to the jurisdiction of the
board
Practical Experience Needed.
The commission calls attention to the
fact that in considering the details OF
Legislation prescribing the powers or
the board 1t is important that due con-
slderation should be given to providing
the machinery necessary to make such
Legislation effective. The New Jersey
statute has in some respects a broader
| application than the similar laws OF
other States n questions which enter
into the operation of public utilties
frequently give rise to problems that
cannot be solved without the exercise
of a high degree of technical training
combined with knowledge gained from
practical experience. Upon this sub
ject the report
when a law creates q public utility
commission and requires 1t to investl-
gate complaints and issue orders ap'
plying to rates >and service of public
utility corporations; to pass upon al
issues OF the stock and securities OF
such corporations and also to pass upon
all local grants of privileges and fran
chises made to them, 1t 10 intended thai
the work of the commission shall be
performed SO as to bring fair treatment
to the public without injustice to the
corporations.
''To do this i~ntelligently and to de-
termine what may be consluereu Iaii
with respect to rates, the standards oil
| service which may be reasonably in
| sisted upon, or the conditions that may
be properly imposed in municipal
grants, and TO decide the many other
problems which must confront the
commission necessarily requires ths
employment OF engineers and other ex-
pert assistants, who should be fully
equal, in technical training and prac-
teal experience. 10 those employed by
the utility corporations.
"Such engineers and experts com
mand good salaries in the employ OF
the corporations, n the State mus
pay salaries large enough to make EN-
pioyment in the service o. the State
attractive. For this reason the board
strongly urges that, in the considera-
ton of any changes In the law, and
particularly such changes as will tend
to place additional duties, involving 9
consideration Of technical problems
upon the board, a sufficient ~appropria-
tion be allowed to provide for the EN-
ployment OF such assistants as Will be
required to make the law effective