Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1913-02-07
NO MAKESH|F
WILL ANSWER
DEMAND
INsIsTENT APPEAL OF PEOPLE FOX
REGULATION OF PUBLIC
UTILITIES.
Especial correspondence

Especial Correspondence
BOISE. Feb. 5.-The one undertak-
ing of real reform for the people OF
Idaho is embodied in the measure known
as the Ryan utilities bill now before the
Legislature In its behalf are enlisted
all the disinterested forces Of the State
1t should be thundered into the ears
of the aw-makers that law is demand
ed that will do something not to con-
f,scate the property Of any corporation
but that will compel it TO perform the
largest measure OF usefulness to the
public at reason rates Of compensation
therefor. The people will stand for no
1nakeshift that falls short Of this de-
mand
Perhaps country people have suffered
more from the eztortions Of the express
companies than from any other corpor-
stions operating in this State. Their
charges for their services amount sim
ply to robbery or have amounted 10 rob
berry: there is some relief expected 10
come from the competition Of the par
GELS post.
Attorney Victor o. Johnson, the sho-
shone lawyer, appeared before the house
committee on railroads, carriers and
other public corporations at a public
hearing in the house of representatives.
Monday afternoon and vigorously refuted
the attacks made against the bill by
the corporation interests and others.
At the outset of his remarks Mr..
johnson took issue with the authors
of the statement that the utilities
commissioners as provided in the Ryan
law would have too much power and
authority. He cited the pardon board
and other state commissions and in
sisted that the pardon board has the
power to free every prisoner at the
state penitentiary it it so desires. he
expressed the view that whoever might
be appointed upon the commission in
the event of its creation would not
take advantage OF the opportunity to
exercise arbitrary powers any more
than do the other state boards.
A public utilities commission in Ida
no, Mr.. johnson declared. would prove
Its worth in Idaho in its conference
with the interstate commerce commis-
sion alone
WIN Not Retard Construction.
The Shoshone attorney was partlc- |
uIarly emphatic in denying the state
ments of the opponents of the bill to
the effect that the existence Of a rail-
road commission or pablic utilities
commission would retard or hinder
railroad construction in Idaho. He
said that the rule has been in states
where commissions have been created
that the amount Of railroad construc-
tion has increased steadily
If such commissions blocked the
building or railroads. Mr.. johnson de-
clared, only four states in the union
Idaho. Utah. wyoming and West vir-
there are no comrniss-
ions, would be the scene of railway
On the contrary. he cited
Texas and asserted that in 1903 and
1910 more miles or railroad were built
Ia the Lone Star state. than any other
state In the country.
In the state OF Washington, he aisd,
the year before the commission took up
The reins OF corporation sovernement
only 10 miles. approximately, Of rail-
roads were constructed. The follow
ing year the total mileage constructed
was $50.
Mr.. johnson favors that provision In
he Ryan bill which provides that ap-
oeals from the decision Of the COM .
mission shall be taken direct to the
upreme court. Considerable opposi- +,
lon to this clause has been manifest, .
peakers for the railroads claiming 7 n
hat such appeals should be permit =
I'd in the district court.
Mr.. johnson declared that in his r
pinion a district judge who heard 81
vorce case one day. minor civil e.