The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1913-01-10

to national convention should be by
direct primary election, and when the
people have selected their delegates
in such a manner, there will be no
question as to their authority to rep
resent the state in the national con-
vention.
State Public Utilities Commission.
Minnesota has long realized the i'm
portance of state control OF public
utilities. Twenty-eight states have
now a statewide commission in
charge of public utilities and in every
instance where such commission has
been properly organized and given
sufficient authority, it has been an
unqualified success. In my opinion,
public utilities must be either owned
or controlled by the people. Where
the control can be vested in fair,
impartial and competent authority,
removed as far as possible from po-
litical influence, it is far superior to
ownership. 1t has been found by ex-
perience that it is very difficult to
keep municipality owned plants out OF
politics. AS a general principle 1t is
true that the state or the city should
not go into any business which can
be transacted as well by individuals.
In the case of public utilities the sell
fish greed of human nature too often
takes advantage of the peoples de-
pendence to demand excessive rates
or grant unfair discrimination as be-
tween localities and individuals. Even
,, municipality owned public utilities are
now realizing the necessity of state
wide regulation and strong demand
for such regulation comes from pro-
ducers and consumers alike through
out the state. -
Owing to local conditions and in
f1uences, it is impossible for a local
commission to be as successful in the
regulation of these utilities as state
wide commission. The regulating au-
thority and the regulated are too
closely related and dependent upon
local conditions, and it is almost i'm
possible to be impartial and fair. 1t
is absolutely essential that the reg
ulating authority should be indepen-
| dent of local conditions, more perma-
nent as to tenure than the constantly
changing city administration, and
composed of able experts with suf-
ficient authority and funds to enforce
it's rules and regulations fearlessly
and impartially. These requisites
cannot be obtained as we'll in local
commission as in a state commits
sion, and l sincerely trust that this
legislature will enact into law the
measure that will bring the greatest
benefits to the people at large
throughout the state.
State Control of Securities.
In the development of new terri.
tory it is important that favorable
opportunities be given for the profit
able investment of capital, and most
of our states have been quite liberal
in the granting of such returns. The
indiscriminate issuing and sale of
stocks and bonds is, however, of no
advantage to a financially sound en-.
terprise, but has rather the opposite
effect in creating suspicion and dis
! trust. Worthless stocks and bonds
are usually sold to a class of people
that cannot afford to invest, and who
have neither the means nor the oppor-
tunities to investigate the soundness
of the corporation or the integrity of
it's officers. Millions of dollars have
been secured in this state by fake
concerns which have capitalized any,
thing and everything that might ap-
pear attractive and at the same time
lead an investor to think he is to re-
ceive something for nothing.
A law should be enacted which will
not in any way restrict or even re-
tard legitimate business enterprise,
but effectively prevent the issuing and
sale of stocks and bonds which have
little or no value, by providing for
the examination of such securities be-
fore issue and sale, and adequate PEN
alties for the violation of the law.
1t is essential that the law should
effectually reach the promoter and So
licitor, for without them worthless
stocks and bonds could not be placed
on the market.
Labor and Capital.
Co-operation.-Never before in the
history of our country have we had
so emphatically impressed upon us
the importance of cooperation be,
tween labor and capital We are liv.
ing in an age when the right to or
ganize is readily conceded to both
sides. Indeed, organization is advan-
tageous and necessary. Consequently,
a war between the two is always dis
astrous to both. Capital is entitled
to a fair return for it's investment and
labor to a fair share of the wealth
created. The success of both is de-
pendent upon harmonious co-opera-
ton. The question should always be,
to determine what the just claims are
and then to secure their recognition
by friendly adjustment or arbitration.
Minnesota is rapidly becoming one of
the leading manufacturing and COM
mercial states of the Union and it is
therefore, important that legislation
be enacted which will promote the
most hearty cooperation between la
Dor and capital.
Workmen's compensation.-Repr
senting on this occasion organized as
well as unorganized employees and en-
ployers, | am asking at your hands a
fair and adequate workmen's compen-
sation act. / fully realize the difficult
ty of enacting a satisfactory compen-
sation law, but we have the expert
ence of number of foreign countries
as we'll as several states to guide us
and with the agreement between en-
ployes and employers as to the main
provisions of the bill itself, reported
to the special committee of this leg
islature, the desired legislation should
be passed at this session.
During the past few years the num-
Der of accidents to employees in this
state has been very largely reduced,
and the department of labor is en-
titled to much credit for its efficient
work in connection Herewith. 1t is
hnr CIT - To-
ly reduced, but if it could be reduced