The Washington herald., 1912-03-01
WORKS OPPOSES
GALL|NGER BILL
Solon Says Proposed Utilities
Measure Lacks Directness
and Urges Changes.
MOVE WILL BE OPPOSED

Because he believes the Gallinger pub
lie utilities bill lacks directness, and
therefore does not give to the Commis-
sioners, as a public utilities commission,
the complete control necessary in the
management of public service corpora
tions, Senator Works. Of California, yes
terday introduced as an amendment
bill which contains various points of dif-
ference from the former measure.
The discussion of Senator Works
amendment will begin in the Senate this
afternoon. 1t is predicted that Senator
Gsllinger will oppose any attempt to
radically change the measure drawn up
by him and approved by the District
Committee.
Minor Changes in Bill.
Senator Works introduction OF his
amendment came after all other amend
ments to the Gallinger bill had been
approved by the Senate yesterday after
noon, and the measure was about to be
voted on.
One change made in the GaIlinger bill
was the striking out of section SS, pro-
Niding that a sum not exceeding $4,000
be appropriated for the work of the pub
lie utilities commission, and substituting
a clause specifying $4,000 as the sum to
he paid, with the additional provision
that all fines or forfeitures should revert
TO the Treasury. Section Is, providing
that public service corporations shall
carry a depreciation account when the
commission deems it necessary, was
stricken out, and the settlement of this
matter left TO the Commissioners.
Bailey Offers Amendment.
90 Senator Bailey in section 53 urged that
before the word acquire" in the clause
prohibiting corporations from obtaining
one another's stock, the words ''Or own"
should be inserted. The measure thus
cOmpels all public service corporations
10 relinquish holdings in other corpora
tions, as well prohibiting their sub
sequent acquisition of outside stock.
With these amendments disposed of,
Senator Works arose and proposed the
consideration of his amendment. He eX-
planned briefly that he was not satisfied
with the Gallinger bill. but suggested
that il might be possible to bring this
measure more in line with his views by
the addition of amendments. AT first
Senator GalIinger seemed inclined TO op-
pose this delay, but later agreed to the
consideration of the two measures at the
session to-day.
Works Measure Called Needless.
Friends of the GaIlinger bill declared
final section, which they termed sum
ming up Of provisions made elsewhere"
there was no material difference in the
two measures. The Works amendment,
which is almost the replica of the Old
field bill as introduced in the House.
specifies in instances what the commits
sion shall do where the Ciallinger meas
Ure leaves the mOdus Uperandi to the dis
CFetiOn of the Commissioners.
After stating that his bill was more
definite. Senator Works declined to go
into detail
1t is difficult" he excl timed. Ito say
the other. What l desire Is that the bill
be specific SO as to give the commission
created a certain definite control over
public service corporations.
The Proposed New Section.
The amendment referred to at the con-
clusiOn of Senator Works measure reads
Is follows:
1t shall be the duty Of the commits
sion in fixing and determining rates,
in directing extensions and improve
ments and in general when making
requirements under the provisions of
this act that involve expenditures by
or lessen the receipts of public util-
tiles, and notwithstanding any other
provisions of this act, having in mind
the public interest, to require the ut
most of the public utility that will not
trench upon its constitutional right 10
earn a fair net return upon the fair
value Of its property used for the con-
- hienCe of the public.
Commissioners silent.
This phrase, it is stated. was warmly
advocated by the District Commissioners
at the time it was first introduced in the
House by Representative Oldfield.
Whether the District Commissioners still
feel it necessary that this section be
added is not known. as they refused last
night 10 discuss either the Gallinger bill
or the proposed amendments on the
pating the Senate's action.
yround that it would appear to be antici-
roD II cTpTTT FYTTNcInN