Morris tribune., 1913-08-29

except for proper cause shown upon
public hearing. This method insures
more stability and better service. be-
cause the commission can devote all
its time to the service relieved from
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 appointive Two more
commissioners should be added MAX
ing five in all, it's 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 well aware that some of my
enemies will not let me make these
appointments il they can help it, 1t
must not be forgotten, however, that
their objections are not made in good
faith. The character of my past ap-
pointments furnish the only stan lard
by which l should be judged, and
am perfectly willing to submit this
question to the people upon that rec
ord Should l so far forget myself
and my duty to the state as to ap-
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 a reward for political services,
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 ongthe
public service commission. They
7 would not shed many bitter tears If I
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
I shall get some little share Of the
credit for it's adoption.
EXPERIENCE OF OTHER STATES.
While large majority of the states
I,
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 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 $2,500,0O0 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 S12,OO0,OOO
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 great
benefit to the people, it has not In
iured legitimate business enterprise,
but rather helped 1t by establishing
more efficient and economic manage
ment, by furnishing expert service ana
eoutpment to every municipality In
the state at minimum expense. by
providing uniform systems OF Vdiua-
ton and accounting, by eliminating
useless duplication OF service as we'll
as equipment, and by attracting TO
this service a higher grade OF experts
and employees through its merit sys-,
ten. The most powerful public utlll-
ties corporation in the state, howOxerS
has been the leader In opposing state
Regulation of ALL public utilities. ara
|, through IT'S influence largely the oE'-
po tion to this measure IL tAe Lass
h6SSse was made suceessfUL
Rsts needless TO state that Ia thla.
an ia other gmKeteFs, there sare nAAak
gRor9st men who sincerely eDpOa6
statA regulation. The strong NPPOst-
Mons however. comes mainly from
three sources, namely the largo cOa4
.,,vvassa,.o ,wIaA sranAsvM anAse&Al rafAa the