The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-24
CLAIM They FIND
JOKER IN MEASURE
Bill Regarding Power Companies
Said to Confer Wide
Privileges.
LIVELY DEBATE IN COMMITTEE
Bill TO Require Reports OF Acct
dents by Railways Also
Discussed.
LIVELY DEBATE IN COMMITTEE

discussed.
senator Harts bill requiring electric
lighting and power companies organ.
"cu under the laws OF Virginia to FUR
uish any person along their lines with
"Sit ana power ut reasonable rates
S"u uniform charges, In the light OF
an examination before the Senate Com
i'l''ee on Roads and Internal Nayiga-
i' yesterday afternoon, was made 10
Hppear pretty much of a wolf in Sleeps
fipthite. Framed apparently with the
7oie purpose of protecting helpless
t"pic against cxtortionaic charges and
iH"ueduatc service the bill IL is
canned by opponents of the measure,
VIII operate to strengthen the hold OF
so-chlled water-poWer trust of
SoHIh"est Virginia and bestow upop Il
advantages which will dispose of all
elective competition.
fne bill reads az follows: RE #
Enacted by the General Assembly of
Virginia, That all public service corpo-
fatohs heretofore or hereafter inror-
FoTatcd under the laws OF this State.
ana engaged in the business OF general
electric lighting and power companies,
tHaI DC bound to furnish q REASONABLE.
rates any person, company or corpora
non along Its lines desiring the sam.
WIN electric light or power, or both,
and to charge uniformly therefor all
persons, companies or corporations
using the same under like conditions
as 10 cost OF supply
Claim to Find Joker.
The measure was the object OF a
heated discussion which consumed most
OF the meeting. For the enactment OF
Inc Dill into Law there appeared At
torney Robert L. Scott, of Richmond,
FOCAL representative OF the Appalachian
rover Company. which Is engaged III
developing heavy watcr-power projects
on New River. in Southwest Virginia.
j. Sornent Powell. of WytheviIIe. Of
Tered strong opposition TO its passage.
which. he said, would ne nothing .ess
thun a public calamity for his part OF
the state.
The Joker in the bill, according TO
Mr Poweil's argument, is the provision
which makes II compulsory Tor a COM
pttny or corporation 10 furnish light
and water power to any person or
corporation along It's lines. THIS
clause. he pointed out. once applied By
the Corporation Com mission, would
ipso fucto make such light and puwer
company public service corporation
And endow II with the right Of eminent
domain.
Iicipn the Power Trust.
This he SAID. is precisely what
tAe appalachian Power Company is az
Ter 1t IL preparing TO construct three
hodiliohui dams, Al cost OF several
millions Of collars. and needs the rigat
Of eminent domain 10 acquire certain
lands. both for the overflow and tor
aEhts of way. AT present the company
IS not truly a public service corporation,
and has TO acquire its lands and right
81 way by purchase SO TAR from be-
ms a piece OF altruist!c legislation for
;hc benefit Of the public. It's purpose is
.olely TO cnaow the Appalachian Power
company with the riga, OF cminent do
main
The fatal defect In the bill, argued
Nr. Powell, was Its general application
nc had no objection 10 company, en-
gagged In the business OF general cleo
trlc lighting anu power, applying Tor
charter as pubic service corpora.
lion. but he objected TO the compulsory
nature of the law. which would Gqutrs
every plant engaged in the busi"9ss. VI
whatever capacity. TO do likewise.
Would XIII Competition.
To compel small company. with
limited supply Of power, To be subject
10 the same demands as those made
upon the large companies. with unlim-
tied power, Mr.. Powell thought would
operate to drive sill competition from
the field. The proposed law. he arg ed,
paniea OF Western Virginia to furnish
light or power in any quantity demand
ed by any user on tho line. or suuer
suit for damages. In effect il would
tie up all of the smaller companies in
litigation. and leave the neid Tree 10
the one big company with limitlcss
power.
Air. Powell admitted the right of any
company TO incorporate as public
psif 70 q
condemn land, but insisted that The
only equitable arrangement was 10
make II optional with the company to
do SO or NOT. He took exception also
to tao reasonable rates" clause In the
bill, on the ground that no tribunal in
The State is In position to decide what
is or what Is not reasonable charge
for lighting and power unuer the Wide
iy different circumstances that obtain.
Would Limit Charter.
Before granting the rignt OF emf
ncnt domain" said MIR. Powell the
state should demand a contract from
the company providing that In the dis
tributon OF power, preference shali at
all times be given 10 users nearest to
the source. and that all contracts with
distant users should contain the clause
that in the event of a reduction in the
current from any cause, nearby users
would be served first"
He advanced this Idea. he said. be-
cause of the fact that the Appalachian
Power Company. although deriving all
OF it's power from the natural re-
sources of the State of Virginia. is pre-
pairing by means of contracts with
firms In West Virginia to divert its
benefits to sections WITHOUT the State.
An enterpris. deriving its existence
from Virginia, he thought. Should DO
compelled by its charter to give Viz
ginia the preference in the distribution
Of its benefits.