American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-11-26

w "A ~ HAN ONAs
There seems to be an accepted idea that the public dtiii-
ties commission of this state is in danger of being abolished
The complaint against the utilities commission comes
exclusively from those who opposed the creation OF that
commission in the first place and from those who are not
informed but have been misled as to acts of the commits
sioners.
A howl has been sent forth throughout the state that the
commission has adopted the idea of an unrestricted mon
opoly in public utility service in the state and relying upon
the idea that competition is the only way in which to OBJ
tain relief. Opponents Of the commission idea have been
quick to appeal to the %prejudices thus aroused. No effort
has been made by these opponents to give a fair discussion
of the subject for the simple reason that it is not the truth
they are after but the truth that they seek to avoid, be-
cause he truth would sustain and maintain a public utili-
ties commission in this state while a failure to get at the
truth seemed likely to lead to the abolition of the commits
sion which was the result desired.
The duty of the commission, as admitted by everybody,
is to fix rates, among Others But how, then, can there be
competition with fixed rates. Clearly there could be no
competition in prices, but only in service, equipment and
the like. Sothat those who are giving this as their reason
for asking that the commission be abolished, are really
complaining because competing companies are not allowed
to come in to compete in the matter of equipment and SER
vice, not in prices at all!
But even here the commission is necessary in order to
see that service and equipment ARE furnished. The COM
mission has jurisdiction over that matter the same as they
have over prices. So we see that the whole of the argument
fails, just as it is bound to fail because it has nothing back
of it except antagonisrn to the commission idea.
Back of the desire to abolish or cripple the commission,
is the desire to exploit the public. This cannot be done
with an efficient commission in existence, therefore it is
necessary, by some means or other, to get rid Of the COM
mission. That is the only argument there is against a pub
lie utilities commission only it would not do for those who
want the commission abolished to say SO.
The "nigger in the wood pile will be found to be that
those who are begging that the commission be abolished
80 that there may be competition are working in behalf of
agencies that wish to crush out competition and create a
monopoly of their wn-one that will not he embarrassed
in its exploits ton Of the people by an effective commission
There has not been a single question before the public
utilities commission affecting the question of rates, the
adequacy Of equipment or service, or any similar questions
affecting the interests of the people, but has been decided
by the commission against the corporation.
Therein lies another most potent reason why there is a
clamor at this time for a repeal Of the public utilities law.
In fact the opposition to that law will not bear the light of
publicity at any ~stage.-Capital News.