Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-31

him, and they are not responsible to a
Governor, but they are responsible to
the people for faithful execution of
the laws under which they are work.
ing.
The Governors Council. which
note some of our political philosophers
wish to supplant, in accordance with
the English system, by having the
heads of departments take their places
as advisors to the Governor, to my
mind is one of the most salutary
checks (and means of assistance) in
the administration of law which we
have. They are the final arbiters of
all public expenditures. They are
independent of every other State de-
partment. There is no motive for
dickering or trading. as there might
be if the places were taken by the
heads of departments, as has been pro-
posed. To my mind there has not yet
been devised any scheme in any State
which provides so safe and conserva
tive a check upon the executive de-
partments as the executive council, as
established in our State.
Public Utilities Court.
We have one most important public
question facing us. 1t is a state and
national question, and we have al
ready legislated in regard to it. The
legislation was non partisan and the
result of thorough study, a good deal
of discussion and the experience of
other states. 1t is the question now
before the people of the State, and to
be voted on at the next election, for
the approval or disapproval of what
is popularity known as the public utili-
ties law. chapter f29 of the public laws
of 1918 to provide for the regulation
and control of public utilities, to Gre
ate a public utilities commission and to
describe its powers and duties. This
measure has long been under discus
sion in our State, and to my mind it
is one of the greatest Importance.
In general terms it provides for the
establishment of a new court before
which any question arising in regard
to the public service by any public
service company, such as railroads,
express companies, water companies,
electric companies, gas companies,
may be heard. Its design is to give
the individual citizen complete pro-
lection against unjust discrimination
and excessive charges in the public
service, and provide for fair treat
ment of public service corporations.
1t provides for the employment of ex-
perts by this court upon any and all
such questions which may become
necessary TO determine the truth upon
any scientific or technical problem.
The commission or court is not de-
signed by the act itself to be such
experts. The commission by the law
must be bipartisan, free, from all
ownership, interest, bias or prejudice,
in any public service company in the
State, free to judge upon evidence,
honestly and impartially, which may
be brought before it.
Democrats Position.
'One or two public service COM
panies in the State, whose managers
say to me personally that they do not
care to have their affairs looked into
by the public. have taken offense at
this act, and the Democratic party of
this State, as understand it, after
practically approving of the legisla-
ton. has undertaken by supporting the
referendum of thisract, to assist these
selfish public service corporations to
defeat it's enactment. This act pro-
vides that no stocks or bonds or other
securities shall be issued by any pub
lie service company in this State
without the consent of this public SER
vice commission.
Trouble with Railroads.
Now, l don't know as the people
appreciate just what this act means,
and / do not know if | can impress
upon you its great value to the people
of our State. We have today great
deal of discussion about our railroad
properties. For more than 40 years
the Boston & Maine railroad has paid
dividends on its stock, which is wide
ly distributed among the people or
New England, and held to great ex-
tent by widows, old people, minors and
charitable institutions and small in
vestors, probably not less than 10000
in number. Now, there is some rea-
son why this stock, after 40 years has
stopped dividends, and there may be
good many reasons, but one which is
constantly urged is that the dealings
of this corporation with other cor
poratlons has resulted in great losses;
tHat STOCKS anu DOIuS nave pSSh ID
sued by consolidation and purchase OF
other companies much to the loss or
this corporation. The same thing Is
claimed in a measure to another great
New England railroad, which seems
to be in some financial trouble.
"Now, / want to ask any fair mind
ed man if he thinks this would have
occurred if Maine, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island and Connecticut and
New York had had a public utilities
law for the past 20 years, so that the
public could have been represented at
every issue of stock and bonds OF
these corporations; if every purchase
and consolidation had been with the
consent of such court. l mean sucn
public utilities law as was passed by
our last legislature, and which our
Democratic friends are now seeking to
defeat. The United States govern
ment is now seeking through its de-
partment of justice to overhaul these
companies, and the good old fashioned
Democratic Governor Baldwin of Con-
necticut is crying to his Washington
friends, Hold, enough! You will ruin