Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-29
DUNNE ON GROWTH OF
CONTROL OF UTILITIES

there is no demand for its repeal or
vital amendment by the citizens OF
Wisconsin after six years Of exIeri-
ence herewith.
So far as have been able TO inves-
tigate it seems 10 be meeting all of
the demands and requirements Of that
great and progressive state.
Many OF the most progressive and
best informed political economists OF
the country have commended it in
most emphatic terms.
And yet while il is admirably adapt
ed 10 the requirements of Wisconsin
and most other states. it fails TO cover
certain situations which prevail in
other commemorative.
In New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois
and some other states there exist ire
mendously great cities such as New
York, Philadelphia and Chicago, which
have within their corporate limits
greater population than exist in most
Of the states of the union-imperii in
mperio-which have utility problems
peculiar TO themselves. differing in
many respects from the utility prob
lens of the ordinary city. These great
cities are as well equipped financially,
scientifically and strategically to cope
with the great utility corporations as
any state.
They can secure high grade lawyers,
engineers, accountants and other ex-
perts Just as easily as the utility cor
porations who occupy their streets.
Their citizens are possessed of civic
pride and confidence in their ability
to manage their own affairs.
A strong sentiment exists in such
cities in favor of the contention that
the settlement of all questions relat-
ing TO the intra-urban utilities OF such
cities should be made by some COM
mittee or commission elected or ap-
pointed within such cities. No pro-
vision for such cases is made in the
Wisconsin public utility law.
! The state commission appointed by
the governor under that law has abso-
Lutte control over all the utilities with
/ in the state publicly owned as well as
privately owned; intraurban inter
urban and statewide.
All intraurban utilities are given by
/ the law indeterminate franchises. The
cities of the state may take the init
iative in fixing rates, schedules and
the character of the service, but the
state commission reserves the right to
revise same and determine what is rea.
sonable and finally make pronounce OF
the same
Were the cities of New York, Phil
adelphia, Chicago or st. Louis within
the confines Of the state of Wisconsin
they would be powerless to control the
service or rates of the public utilities
within their confines. except in the
first instance. The final determination
OF these matters would be vested in
the state commission.
Such is the situation with reference
TO the New York in the state OF New
York. The public utilities OF that great
city are controlled by a state appoint
ed commission selected by the govern
IOr Of that state. Under the public
utility Law of New York, the governor
appoints two commissions, one having
jurisdiction of all the utilities of the
city of New York, and the other hav
ing the control of the utilities outside
OF the city of New York, and the tele
phone and telegraphs Of that state.
The New York commission so far a.
have been able to discover have beer
giving public satisfaction. The only
complaint urged against them beinl
the high cost OF administration. Ever
though the cost of administration O
the New York commissions is large
II seems to be conceded that they hav,
more than paid for themselves in tn,
savings that they have made to tn,
citizens of New York in the regulation
and control of the utility corporations
There is, however, ground for thu
, contention that our great metropolitan
cities. possessed as they are of enor
nous resources, with their ability Il
secure the very highest character O
expert help, such as lawyers, eng
> neers. expert accounts. and scientists
should be permitted by'commissions o
otherwise 10 control the service an
rates of the public utilities within thei
= corporate limits, subject. of course, t
the revision of the courts; as the stat
commissions in the different states ar
. also subject to final review by tn
courts of the state.
Indeed, many cities OF lesser In
portance, both in population, wealti
; and commercial strength In the stat
; in which l live have been contendin
that they are equally able as are tn