Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1913-08-22


appointed for . long period, the gov
ernor cannot change the entire board sl;H
except for proper cause shown UPON
public hearing. This method insures
more stability and better service. be-
cause the commission can devote al all
its time to the service relieved from
the expense and troubles Of politicaIs
campaigns and Independent Of execur
tive dictation.
Minnesota should profit by the ex.t
perience Of nearly all the other statesE
and make it's railroad and WarehouseI
commission appointive. Two mora
commissioners should be added, max
ing five in all, its name changed to
the State Public Service Commits
sion" and then be given the regula-
ton Of all state public utilities. This
arrangement would remove the OBJ
jections raised against two public
utilities commissions and would all.
ways secure to the stats an expa-
rienced working majority Of comnis-
sioners. They should be appointed
at higher salary for q longer term,
and their employees should be placed
under strict civil service.
am well aware that some Of my
enemies will not let me make these
appointments if they can help It.
must not be forgotten, however. that
their objections are not made in good
faith. The character Of my past APP
pointments furnish the only standard
by which I should be judged, and
am PERFECTLY willing to submit this
question. to the people upon that rec
ord. Should SO far forget myself
and my duty to the state as to APP
point on such an important commits
sion men of inferior qualities or men
under the control Of any interest In
this state or make such appointments
as q reward for political services,
earnestly hope, and now request, that
I may be made the first example OF
the recall now before the people for
adoption at the next election. Let us
be frank about this matter. My po-
litical enemies are not at all afraid
that I shall end my political career
by making bad appointments on the
public service commission. They
would not shed many bitter tears II
did. But they are afraid that shall
succeed in securing for Minnesota the
enactment of the most important ana
truly progressive measure ever adopt
ed by this or any other state, and that
shall get some little share OF the
credit for its adoption.
EXPERIENCE OF OTHER STATES.
While large majority Of the states
now have one or more important pub
lie utilities under state control. the
following states have all their uttlt-
ties, or nearly so, regulated by a
state commission: Wisconsin, Massa-
chusetts, New York, New Jersey. Me-
vada. New Hampshire, Rhode Island,
Vermont, Washington, California ana
Kansas. During the last six months
the following states have been added
to the list: Maine, Missouri. Ohio,
Indiana, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
Many of these states have followed
the Wisconsin law, adapting It to local
conditions. The experience Of Wise
consin can, therefore, be used as AMI
example. In addition to saving larg0
sums of money in the operation OF the
various public utilities by uniform
accounting and statistical information.
the direct reduction Of rates by the
Wisconsin commission amounts 20
about $2,5O0,000 per year. It is estl-
mated that in reduced rates ana
economy of service the Wisconsin
commission has since it's organzatlon
! made a net saving of about $12, 900 600
to the people of that state. This Is
! surely a most excellent record.
Objections have been made to state
! regulation, because certain pubic
! utilities are in favor thereof. These
objections are made only for the pur.
nose of creating prejudice. 1t Is not
a question as to who are for or against,
| It is a question of right, justice and
equity. Many public utilities In TINS
state are favorable to state regula'
ton. They know that it must come
sooner or later, and also that in otnei
states. while, it has proven q grea'
benefit to the people, it has not IN
iured legitimate business enterprise
but rather helped it by establishing
more efficient and economic manage
ment, by furnishing expert service and
equipment to every municipality u
the state at a minimum expense. DJ
providing uniform systems OF valua
/ ton and accounting, by eliminating
useless duplication Of service as vel
as equipment, and by attracting Il
this service a higher grade Of experts
and employees through It's merit sys
TEN. The most powerful public utili
/ ties corporation in the state. however,
has been the leader In opposing state
regulation of all public utilities, and
through it's influence largely the OPP.
position to this measure In the last
house was made successful.
It is needless to state that In this.
AZ in other matters. there are many
! honest men who sincerely oppose
state regulation. The strong OPPOSE
ton, however, comes mainly from