Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-20

the SoNeEnots NSce p1FNSufaEIy seC-
,lIl
"(n Hilo street railway act; ap-
proved Aug. 1. 1912 Sec 2 Extern
sians may be made on petition. with
the approval OF the governor. Sec. 3.
Motive power, such as the associa-
tions elect, subject TO the approval Of
the governor. Sec T. Location in the
streets such as may be directed or APP
proved by the board Of supervisors.
Governor approves ear equipment Ex-
tensions shall be made when directed
by the governor. secretary and chief
justice, the circuit Judge OF the fourth
circuit and chairman OF the board Of
supervisors. or other officers desig-
mated by the legislature: with rigid
provisions as to conditions. when the
commission have authority to direct
extensions, among which Is that the
railway shall earn dividends Of per
cent on capital stock Board Of SUI
pervisors may require work 20 be
done and repairs TO be made. Sec. 5.
Governor may control operation and
maintenance OF the cars. Sec. s. The
board. with the approval OF the gov
ernor. may make general rules gov
erning speed. Sec. a. Rates OF fare
fixed within radius Of three miles
cents, outside TO be fixed by the ASSOC
citation with the approval OF the gov
ernor, Sec. S. The association. with
the approval of the governor, may
make regulations requiring operation
OF the railroad. Sec. 3. Plant subject
to inspection by the supervisors. Sec.
IL Governor to enforce terms.
"tgl Wahiawa Water Co: act OF
Feb. 6, 1903. Under this charter. In
case electric power is provided. the
rate to the government Is fixed BY the
bill. The company also has a license
from the territory. which may affect
the powers of the commission
He then applied the foregoing to the
bills under discussion, showing what
effect the bills would attempt to have
on the public utility corporations ena-
meratsd.
He also referred to the following:
.IV-Raiiroad companies which are
under the interstate commerce act,
safety appliances act, and other led
eral legislation.
v-Carriers by water, which are
controlled by federal law.
He pointed out cases In which II the
proposed bill was passed, confusion
would arise owing To the existing fed
efal statutes on the subject.
Mr.. Thurston subitted as basis for
q simple act the following memo
randa:
Abolish sscreeN-compel Publicity.
One of the chief factors. in connec-
ton with public utility corporations
which works against equality OF treat
ment and fairness Of rates, is secrecy.
Secrecy begets rebates. preferences
and unfair determinations. II public
ity OF all the rates. regulations and
transactions Of q public utility com.
pany Is secured, the mere fact Of such
publicity viii, ito q large extent, elm
mate many OF the existing ineQnalt-
ties and abuses now carried on under
cover
In other words, publicity, although
not q eure-all, is the remedy for
great number Of abuses by public util-
lily corporations. Let secrecy be abol-
ished and publicity compelled, and
utility abuses viii largely remedy
themselves.
There Is nothing to prevent the
present passage of law prohibiting
secrecy and compelling publicity.
Power and Duty to Investigate.
Another factor, largely contributing
to abuse of powers by utility corpora
tons Is that there Is now no particu-
lar person or body of persons charged
with the duty OF Investigating the
status and operations Of public utili-
ties. What Is everybody's business
Is nobody's business"
Let a commission be appointed. with
not only the power, but the duty to
investigate, on its own motion or ON
complaint, the status, pnysica:s finan-
elal aud legal, Of each public utility
corporation operating in the Territory;
publicly investigate any charges made
and publish their findings.
There is nothing to prevent this be-
ing done now; and IL q proper COM
mission Is appointed, fund of infor.
nation will have been accumulated
which will so clarity the present IN
certain and muddled conditions, as to
enable intelligent action to be taken
without danger of starting an ava
lanche of dispute, litigation and un-
certainty, as will certainly be the case
if either of the pending bills is passed
in their present form.
Power and Duty to Recommend Rates
and Remedies.
A third factor Of importance Is that
no special authority Is now charged
with seeking and recommending a
remedy for abuses, acknowledged or
discovered. II responsible commits
sion is not only authorized to inyesti-
gate and publish the rates and prac-
tees OF utility corporations, but is
also charged with the duty of max
ing Recommendation of what changes,
in their judgment, should be made In
rates, conditions or regulations, and
empowered to advise corporations as
TO what, in the opinion Of the commits
sion, equity and justice requires; and
is further empowered to publish the
results of such investigations, with
the recommendations made, in the
great majority of cases. such advice
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