Imperial Valley press., 1912-11-29
GEEK TO IMPEDE ENTERPRISE

-
y Some days since the Imperial Valley Gas company
petoned the supervisors offer for sale franchise to enable 1t
of lines to the several towns OF the valley from
I'D Centro franchise advertised and sold to the
peong company and there has been put in circulation
petition special election to revoke the franchise
pertinent question which the whole valley inter-
ssted whether this franchise should be revoked and hat
IS Of facts.
conceded off hand that desirable that tie
the valley should be served with for IS
especially the ideal fuel of hot climate
is Of desirable that the service be established on the
that the to the
must be fixed.
The Imperial Valley Gas has figured carefully ON the
problem finds is cheaper at central point
pipe the several than it at each Of
the towns company asked for this franchise.
alleged that the franchise that has been granted is
ticaly monopoly" preense of getting
nopoy franchise while the constitution of California specifically
provides amendment adopted November 1884, that
corporation shall have the privilege OF laying water and
pipes any city. Hence it is wholly impossible to
grant any exclusive franchise for either Of these in
city the county concerned other
corporation similar franchise by the same process at
any time.
understood that this is termed practicaly monopoly
because the railroad commission has supervision
companies finances and the announced policy Of the commits
encourage the financing OF companies in the field
which not making big earnings But this would apply equally
to any company anywhere.
The for this attitude the Of the commission
that has the power of fixing gas rates nquis
affairs of the Imperial Valley company and hold
down point that will reasonable rate of interest
an the investment
But while the commission has the power passing the
finances of individual corporation seeking enter any city
with water pipes it has the them under the
constitution
is difficult to why this gas company which
city in the valley pleasure should be denied the privilege
entering those cities by under the county roads when
qher person or corporation has the privilege.
The Imperial Valley company F.
always the that public utility corporations have
thara indy far
judgment The history of this valley would be different if
not been for Mr. Hollis organizing ability He built telephone
Ene railroads. ice plant and plant and all his enterprises
been advance Of the demand that
declared dividend These have been strictly
ventures but through them the entire valley has benefited
Now proposed to obstruct these enterprises being
carried to completion though substitute offered
is proposing to take the work in which the Imperial
Valley Gas company engaged they propose there
poad be nothing to bar them after this plant completed
To call election to make it impossible give
leg Hovie Heber and Caexico, and eventually Seeey
Dyeand is to impose heavy the county, with
corresponding benefit in the judgment of the Press.
This journal believer in public ownership public ui-
ties where such ownership practicable, but would claim
chat such ownership is practicable here.
The best substitute for such ownership building of such
works the line of the utmost economy administration with
the railroad commission duly authorized they hold prices
economies.