Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-11-14
EDITOR

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iinore lately have adopted the utilities commits
sion plan have not made this mistake Califcr-
mia, whose commission law was drawn after 4
thorough and expert study Of every other exist.
/ ing body Of the kind, has given It's board pie.
mary powers Under certain strict conditions,
I'd writ Of review may lie secured, and the SUI
lprcne court may review any appeal from the
order This review, however. may
mot be extended further than to determine
whether the commission has regularly pursued
Its authority, including q determination Of
whether the order or decision violates any right
|of the petitioner under the constitution Of the
United States or Of the state The commission s
Findings on questions OF fact are final and not
subject to review and II Is to be carefully noted
that such questions Of fact specifically include
the findings Of the committee on reasonableness
and Discrimination. In other words, the public
service compensation cannot secure a reyersion Of
the commissions ruling on allegations that the
ruling Is unreasonable or shows discrimination.
Plastic courts eailnot be used by corrupt Biz
business ii overthrow the expert conclusions 81
The utilities commission Some states have re-
stiicted the courts power to = determination as
to whether an order II carried out, will result
In what is known in legal Technology as con.
fiscation Of property Thus, il 4 commission is
sues an order for certain set of freight or pas.
|sengel' tariffs, the court may Judge only Wheth:
er i the order becomes effective, it win result
in irlxpafable loss and specific evidence to show
that i will 50 result must be brought forward.
Tie whole question 81 commission powers
ne1s thorough thrashinpout here ID Hawaii,
Were the utilities commission idea Is almost
unknown, where considerable ailtagonism is
likely p be shown to any bin that confels broad
authority over corpofations Of fhe Territory.
Publicity On the subject IS badly needed, and the
form Of the bin t. be sent fosthe legislature
should be known - early Is possible to allow
Qf adequate discussion. s
NJ Gait brings Up another point which viii
probably settle itself ii practical workingopt
81 the eonllpiesien plan He suggests that the
commissioners should give their whole time to
the work. Upon this point the Star Bulletin is
inclined to feel doubtful The number Of public
service corporations falling under the commits
sion's Jurisdiction will be comparatively few,
and rates, once established on an equitable basis
IA the few eases where perhaps they are not now
equitable will not change rapidly We doubt If
after the first few months there would Be need
for board to devote its entire time to the score
or % Of public service corporations doing bust
mess II this territory statistician will prob.
ably be needed al the time, but certainly the
territory does not wish to pay high salaries for
experts unless they are earning their money
every hour Of the day.
However, this point will settle itself when
the bill IS drawn md the powers and duties Of
the commissioners are fixed Meanwhile The
general subject is pressing The Star Bulletin
believes that the establishment Of this commits
sion will be one Of the most important actions
of the legislature Of 1919 and this paper invites
full discussion On the subject and will be glad
to extend the use of its columns to interested
citizens for the purpose Of setting forth their
views
III Il noticeable that the CORRESPONDENCE i,