The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-05-29
HRS UTILITY BILL
Standard OH interests Argue
Against State Regulation
REAL CONTROL BILL ii MAKING
Conference Committee Works Hard
and Promises to Report Measure
That Meets Demands Of Party
Platforms.


and Promises to Report Measure
That Meets Demands Of Party
Platforms.
Columbus, o. - Especially - During
The legislative recess the conference
committee, consisting OF Senators Nc
Gnire, Bader and stockwell and Rep
resentatives Fitzpatrick, Langdon and
Winters has been engaged in work OF
framing UP utilities bill for pres
entation to both houses Of the general
assembly simultaneously on May 81.
One afternoon was given up almost
entirely to the arguments of the rep
resentatives OF the Standard Oil con
trolled natural gas companies. These
companies we're represented by
powerful lcbby, who did not mince
words as to their opinion OF state
regulation, particularly Of their own
business.
They are against the utility hill and
against any regulation OF their bugi
ness, and did not hesitate to say so
boldly to the conference committee.
The fight of the Standard OIL rep
resenthtiyes was directed particularly
against sections 33. "a, 35 and 80, in
the bill as II passed the senate. These
are the sections which provide for a
review by the commission Of any &C.
tlon taken by city councils and makes
impossible the repeated threat Of these
companies to turn OF gas and take 1t
elsewhere when unable to secure
higher rate from the consumer.
james S. Mcmahon OF Toledo, who
represents many Of the Standard oil
natural gas companies. stated frankly
to tho committee that he did not be
feve the bill could pass with these
provisions in Il.
The committee practically agreed
upon the law 50 far as II applies to
all utilities except natural gas com
panies. The sentiment Is strongly In
FAVOR Of regulation OF this important
industry, which affects some 100000
users In the state. the same as any
other utility.
So far the committee has agreed
upon actual valuation as the basis for
a fair and reasonable rate. II nas cut
out OF the bill as II passed tho senate
all reference to stocks and bonds and
earning capacity an a basis for rates
II any expenditures by any utility
have been Improperly made Snd ac.
counted for, TIE commission mas fun
power to have such entries changed.
The commission can also terminate
any contracts, subject to notice, at
any time It may see fit " these con-
tracts are improper or disadvantage
GUS to the public.
Another amendment provides that
the rights of the consumer to COM
plain about rate or charge or any
method OF doing business by utility
Is not affected by the acceptance by
the utility Of any contract with a mu-
nicipality; for example, should a util-
ity accept a franchise from the city
council II does not prevent the con-
sumer from taking the matter TO the
commission, alhough the utility. by
the fact OF Its acceptance, is barred
from an appeal.
Furthermore. no utility can COM
plain about any rate or order OF the
commission unless II first continues
tc furnish its service during thu hear
ing OF the complaint.
No stocks and bonds shall be is.
sued without first securing the con-
sent OF the commission. This puts
the commission in full control OF the
business OF the utility. and also abso-
iutely prevents the injection OF water
into the securities.
Provision is also made for the COM
pulsory interchange OF long-dlstance
service between companies, so that
in the event OF merger any little com
panies that might possibly be left out
can not thereby be deprived of proper
long-distance service.
No mergers, leases or sales OF prop.
erty can be made without the consent
OF the commission after a public hear
ing of all parties interested.
The law is TO take effect June 20.
Instead OF Sept. l, as proposed in the
amendment made part OF the bill by
Senator David Tod of Mahoning.
Governor Harmon is taking a most
active interest in the bill and has