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

ties problems In every section OF the
state, and have thorough under
standing of industrial and commercial
conditions generally. In addition
thereto, they must be of unquestioned
integrity, free from local influence or
prejudice ad actuated only by the
highest sense of justice and equity.
The cost of such experts and the
necessary mechanical equipment is
prohibitive to all municipalities IN
this state with the exception only Of
Minneapolis, ST. Paul and Duluth. l
will gladly concede that these large
cities can afford this great expense,
but granting that why should the
taxpayers of those cities pay for
three sets of experts and equipment
when one set is not only sufficient
but can serve all the cities better?
The question is unanswerable. The
very object of regulation is to secure
the best possible service at the low
est cost to the consumer, and the I'M
necessary duplication of regulating
authorities is not only great eco.
nomic waste but also needless d..
vision of responsibility which neces.
sarily must result in proportionate
inefficient service.
a. Using Equipment in Common
Finally, there is much equipment that
can be used by several utilities in
common. In the construction of I'M
derground conduits and mains through
the streets as many public utilities as
by the nature of the service can op
crate together should cooperate in
the cost of construction and the use
of common equipment. There Is no
valid reason why three or four diff
ferent sets of telephone or telegraph
poles should disfgure and obstruct
our public highways and the com
| munity at large be made to pay for
such unnecessary duplication OF
equipment. Since nearly all of the
public utilities are inter-municipal, it
follows that there must be a state
commission vested with full authority
to order such common use of equip
ment after due investigation and to
apportion the pro rata cost thereof
among those benefited. -
III. UNIFORMITY.
1. Accounting.-In order to secure
the highest standard of efficiency and
economy, it is absolutely essential to
have comparative statistics showing
the operation and experience OF the
various utility plants throughout the
state as we'll as other states. There
must, therefore, be established uni
form system of accounting. Such &C
counting should show in detail the
financial and operating experience OF
every plant. Under the present sys-
tenn it is impossible for one plant to
benefit by the experience Of the other,
because there is no uniform system OF
computing the cost of operation so as
to determine net results. Wherever a
been established and reliable sta
tistical information furnished to the
various plants of the state, there has
always resulted a general improve
ment from the standpoint of efficiency
and economy. Today surprisingly few
plants know the exact cost of their
own operation, much less that of any
other plant, and the state can render
no greater service to the public at
large, as we'll as to the utilities them
selves, than to establish a uniform
system of accounting and bureau
for general statistical information.
2. Inspection and Examinations
Without a uniform system of account
ing, there can be no reliable inspec-
ton or examination. Under state su-
pervision the state through it's experts
will be able to examine and properly
report the financial and operating con-