Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-21
ciaI to mes-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
! Des Moines. March Ex-senator
Crist. from the committee on public
utilities OF the serate, yesterday placed
in the journal his amendments to the
tentative bill which was printed some
time ago. by which it is believed the
bill will .,ave been sufficiently perfect
ed 70 make it acceptable TO all persons
interested. !, is expected that the
I amendments Will DE added to the bill
early next week and il ,Yil! be passed
over 10 the house Those who have
looked into the amendments give as
surancA thar they put the senate bill
into first class condition and give it a
very good chance Of becoming the law.
Two chances for a fight" have been
taken out Of the bill-in relation TO the
commerce counsel and in relation TO
the expenses.
In regard TO the latter il is provided
in the amendments that the public utl-
tiles OF the state which come under the
law are 20 be assessed in proportion to
the business which they do for the sup
port Of the commission and payment
Of ali expenses. so that the state Will
be at no more expense than 10 provide
office rooms for the com mission. Those
who have opposed regulation Of public
utilities have been preparing to make
q great ado about the needless eX-
pense thereof
The clauses which wholly changed
the character Of the office of commerce
counsel and Virtually abolished that
Office have all been stricken out of the
bill, or viii be by the amendments. The
commerce counsel will remain as at
present and even there are some new
things added. and he can on his own
motion intervene in matters on behalf
Of the people.
The amendments also provide that
the findings of the commission are 70
be prinna facie as to the facts regarding
rates and all such things. but if there
is any appeal 10 the courts ii shall be
within ninety days after an order has
| been entered and in the courts of Polk
county. That is intended to cut off
appeals 70 the courts all over the state
and 10 the federal court. In fact all
appeals are Topped off save and except
those which are guaranteed under the
constitution which could not be evaded.
In the matter OF the purchase of
plants an important change is made in
that the Id is taken off as 10 bonds,
for city may borrow up to the limit
Of It's constitutional GebI TO acquire
q plant order bought by vote of the
people. In the matter of purchase Of
plant already in operation this follows
merely a vote Of the people, but II
there is a vote TO construct a plant
where one is already in operation per-
mission must be from the commission
also.
In the mater Of fixing rates the
commission is\;o take into conside-a-
ton emily those elements which follow
the rule as laid down by the supreme
court itself There may be separate
valuation of the property FOR rate max
ing or purchase and for these purposes
alone.
a very important addition and one
which will satisfy q great many who
shook their heads about the bill as
tentatively prepared is that there can
be no increase Of rates By any public
service corporation without approval
Of the commission following a hearing
and q chance for full discussion.
The rival utilities bills will row start
On the race for the goal. in a busy
time Tut both having strong support