The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-08-18

the expense and troubles Of political
campaigns and Independent Of execu-
tive dictation.
Minnesota should profit by the ex-
perience Of nearly all the other states
and make its railroad and warehouse
commission appointfve. Two more
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 al
ways secure to the state an expe-
rienced working majority of commits
sioners. They should be appointed
at higher salary for longer term,
and their employees should be placed
under strict civil service.
am we'll aware that some of my
enemies will not let me make these
appointments if they can help it. It
must not be forgotten, however, that
their objections are not made in good
faith. The character of my past ap-
pointments furnish the only standard
by which should be judged, and I
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 ap-
sion men of inferior qualities or men
under the control of any interest In
this state or make such appointments
as a reward for, political services, I
earnestly hope, and now request, that
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 shall end my political career
by making bad appointments on the
public service commission. They
would not shed many bitter tears If 1
did. But they are afraid that shall
succeed in securing for Minnesota the
enactment of the most important and
truly progressive measure ever adopt
ed by this or any other state, and that
shall get some little share of the
credit for it's 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 utili-
ties, or nearly so, regulated by a
state commission: Wisconsin, Massa-
chusetts, New York, New Jersey, Ne
vada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island,
Vermont, Washington, California and
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 Wis,
consin can, therefore, be used as an
example In addition to saving large
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 to
about $2,500,O00 per year. 1t is esti-
mated that in reduced rates and
economy of service the Wisconsin
commission has since It's organization
made net saving of about $4,000, 900
to the people of that state. This is
surely most excellent record.
Objections have been made to state
regulation, because certain public
utilities are in favor thereof. These
objections are made only for the pur'
pose 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 this
state are favorable to state regula'
ton. They know that it must come
| sooner or later, and also that in other
states, while it has proven a great
benefit to the people, it has not in
jured legitimate business enterprise
but rather helped it by establishing
more efficient and economic manage
ment, by furnishing expert service and
equipment to every municipality In
the state at a minimum expense, by
providing uniform systems OF valua
ton and accounting, by eliminating
useless duplication of service as well
as equipment. and by attracting to
this service higher grade Of experts
and employees through It's merit sys'
tenn. The most powerful public utili'
tties corporation in the state, however,
has been the leader in opposing state
regulation of all public utilities, and
through it's influence largely the op'
position to this measure in the last
house was made successful.
I It is needless to state that In this,
as In other matters, there are many
honest men who sincerely oppose
state regulation. The strong opposi-
ton, however, comes mainly from
three sources, namely: the large con.
sumers who receive special rates, the
ward politicians, and the Socialists.
AS to the first class the opposition
Is we'll founded Under state regula-
ton all special rates and privileges
would be abolished. The ward poll
ticians do not wish to let go of the
public utilities. This is perfectly
natural. Under the guise of fighting
for "home rule" they have opposed