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

lu0 AdlluS VI d Lew commissioners, SO
that every department OF such regula
ton may have one commissioner at
its head, who should be held respon
sible to the governor and he to the
people of the state directly through
the initiative, referendum and recall
The governor should have authority
to remove such commissioners for
proper cause shown, but upon public
hearing 50 as to prevent the exercise
of undue Influence or dictation by
executive authority.
8. Segregation From Political In
fIuence.-It is recognized as primary
principle in the settlement Of every
controversy, that the acting judges
should be free from bias and prejudice
and personally disinterested in the
results. Let up apply this to the con-
troversy between the public utility
corporation and the municipal official.
In most cases he has been elected up-
on an issue involving the public util-
ity in question:. He has often made
his campaign either for or against
certain contentious of the utility cor
poration, is dependent for his renomi-
nation and reelection upon the set
Element of a controversy in a certain
way, and is, therefore, personally in
terested in the controversy. Should
he be permitted to sit as judge in A.
contest involving his own personal
and political interests? Every sense
of fairness and justice will rebel
against such a conclusion. The ad-
judication should be made after thor.
ough Investigation and report Of en-
perts by competent commission
which has no personal interest in the
controversy and is wholly independent
of local conditions, politically or other
wise.
q. Expert Service and Equipment.
Effective regulation involves also the
best possible expert servi:e and
equipment. In testing the quality as
well as quantity of light, heat, power,
water, telephone, telegraph, and trans
portation service, in making physical
valuations of such properties, In
s.
books, accounts and securities, and in
collating, classifying. and analysing all
facts in connection Herewith, the en-
ployment of skilled experts and valu-
able equipment is absolutely essential,
and the average municipality cannot
afford the expense connected there
with. With such expert service and
equipment, as we'll as the necessary
authority vested in the state, all mu.
inequalities and rural communities
would have at their disposal the
means of solving on just basis any
problem connected with their public
utilities, no matter how intricate and
difficult
S. Public HeaIth.-Public health
affords another important phase in the
consideration of efficiency. The test
Ing of water in the interest of public
health is in the first instance a NUM-
cipal problem, but where disputes
arise or where the municipalities re-
fuse to act, the state must step in
and enforce the observance of sanitary
laws and regulations. This is func-
ton for the state board of health, but
In making it's tests and Investigations
the experts of the public service COM
mission should be employed so as to
prevent the duplication of state equip
ment. Our supreme court has held
that municipalities are responsible for
damages to persons and property
caused by neglect to properly guard
public health, and no city should be
permitted to allow unsanitary condi-
tons within it's borders, because the
breeding Of disease in one city af-
fects every other community by inter-
communication.
s. Continuity of Service and Civil
Service Promotions.-Lastly, efficiency
is dependent largely upon continuity
of service and promotions under the
merit system. The public service
CONTINUED from first page).