Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-04
apr2, tu- TIL sat, II

ulation and establishment of mileage
rates and the issuing of mileage books
by the Legislature, or by the public
utilities commission, under the au-
thority conferred by the act referred
to- think it is important that all such
matters, with reference to public ser
vice companies, should be left to the
commission. 1t is proper part OF
their work. Before such a commits
sion opportunity can be given both TO
the public and to the public service
companies, railroads included, to be
heard upon all sides of such questions,
and the fullest and most complete
justice can be done to all concerned,
and after the creation of such a pub
lie utilities commission as has been
provided for by this Legislature, it
seems to me inconsistent to follow it
with an act regulating specifically
public service companies in particu-
lar manner, like that of the act re-
ferred to-"
You will observe that there is moth
ing in this message that claims, on
the part of the Governor, that the
utilities bill would have authority to
compel the issuance of mileage books
or regulate their price. but he does
claim that this commission would reg
ulate mileage rates and charges.
The Governor. March 81, sent pro-
test to the President of the Maine
Central Railroad. against any increase
in its rates, and in that protest, in
speaking of the utilities bill. he says,
This act. if it goes into effect, will
not prevent your withdrawing the
/ 10 mil
can sell 500-mileage book at any
price you see fit; so that law, whether
vetoed or enacted, has practically no
effect upon the question of the rates
AT which mileage books shall be sold.
The public do not generally under
stand this, because they have not read
the law, but such is the fact. and will,
sooner or later be found cut.
In all these communications 1 do
not find the Governor suggesting for
one moment that the Utilities Com
mission would have authority over the
issuance of mileage books but only
over the rates and mileage charges.
Senator Hersey. In the discussion Of
the Governors veto, mentioned above,
in the Senate, April g. 1913, said:
Now it seems to me, AR. President,
that the commission established by
this Legislature, the Utilities Commits
sion, has great authority over this
matter, more than this private act,
circumserihed as ii IS, of trying TO reg
ulate mileage books"
Section A says: If upon such form
al public hearing the rates. tolls.
charges, schedules or joint rates shall
be found tc be unjust, unreasonable,
itaS "
or otherwise in violation of the pro-
visions of this act, the commission
shall have power to fix and order sub
stituted therefor such rate or rates,
tolls. charges or schedules as shall be
Just or reasonable. If upon such pub
lie hearing it shall be found that any
regulation. measurement. practice, act
or service complained of is unjust. I'M
reasonable insufficient. or unJustiy
discriminatory or otherwise in VIOLA
ton of any of the provisions of this
act or If it be found that any service
is inadequate or that any reasonable
service cannot be obtained, the COM
mission shall have power to establish
and substitute therefor such other
regulations. measurements. practice,
service or acts, and to make such or
such regulations measurements, prac-
tice, service and acts as shall be just
and reasonable
Now you cannot get broader law
than that to regulate the aHalrs anu
charges and mileage of railroads, ana
YOU should not attempt by any speclal
legislation to restrict the power Oh
your commission. And say the GOV
ernor absolutely is right ana shouio
be sustained in his views.
The only Nother communication maze
by Senator Hersey is in his late an
nouncement for. the Senate. PUBLISH
ed in many papers of the Stae, in
which he saws: knowing that the
Public Utilities bill would regulate
all fares on the railroads Of the State
the Governor vetoed the 500 Mileage
Hill which was in conflict with the
utilities commission; now these DEM
ocratic politicians invoke the REFER
end,Im to hold up the law and then
attempt to create prejudice against
the Governor for his veto OF the mile
age bill. Such an attempt to play
netty politics ought to be rebuked
bv all voters who believe in fairness
in politics and honesty in politicians.
therefore submit, Mr.. Editor, that
Mr.. Pattangall has no basis for his as
sertion that Governor Haines, Senator
Milliken and myself have in any way
recognized or claimed that the pubic
Utilities bill or the Legislature OF
Maine have any power or authority
to compel railroad to issue mileage
books. We do claim, however, that,
if the public utilities bill had become
law last September and had mot
been held up by a partisan re1eren-
dunn, favored by Mr.. Pattangall, our
State would not now be having
trouble with the railroads in regard
to mileage rates, but that all mileage
and freight rates would have peen
regulated by that commission, ana the
people would have known by this time
the exact condition of our railroads,
which is now unknown to us.
BY election day in September the
people will know the truth and recog-
nize their friends.
IRA G. HERSEY.
Houlton, Maine, April /, 1914.