The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-29
MAYORS TO JOIN FOR
FRANCHISE FIGHTS
Public Utilities Research Ru.
reau May Offset Work Of
Corporations.
mitchell IS INTERESTED
Intercity Organization to Bc
Perfected at Meeting in
Philadelphia.

A coalition OF cities. resardles, ~ sr,.
In being organized under the lcador.hf,
Of Mayor Mitchell. Mayor Rudolph Rl,rs.
enburE Of Philadelphia. Mayor Harrison
OF Chicago. Mayor Baker Of cleveland
and Mayor Shroyer OF Dayton 70 that #,
| fights against public utility corporation,
in the future tho cities will have an srer,
as fully equipped with knowledge OF IN.
situation as the corporations.
II Is planned to hold nationrid.
conference OF cities some time next fail
when bureau OF public utilities research
will be formed The conference viii h.
held in Philadelphia, and according =,
the announcement sent out by MAYOR
Bla nkenburg the Mayors OF the fve elite,
leading in the work OF organization will
be present. Letters are being sent GU,
now 20 Mayors OF practically every city
in the country inviting participation. and
It is expected that the conference will h.
strongly supported.
The basic idea underlying the forns.
ton OF the new bureau is the accumulation
OF technical knowledge bearing upon the
inner workings Of public utility corpora.
tons Mayor Blankenburg argues tina,
heretofore in every fight before a public
service commission the cities have been
represented by men not fully familiar
with the subjects. while the side Of the
corporations has been presented by the
best informed and most able men in N.
country.
IF the cities do not join together for
to tat ~ thetr ~ NIB
lie utility companies have the laws and
presidents established by the commission
stand in danger OF being biased by IN.
able arguments OF the representatives ~
these corporations" says Mayor Blsnkcn-
burg in his letter TO the Mayors.
THE equipment required for the AIDE.
quate presentation OF the rights and In
terests OF the people involves degree and
extent OF technical knowledge and infor.
nation which II is not practicable for any
one city to obtain. This knowledge or
city, and its cumulative use would greatly
| add to it's value. II must h borne In
mind that the utility companies constitute
| themselves an offensive and defensive al
lance probably stronger than any other
| interest In this country. Its weakest
member IL never without information and
| assistance OF every kind.
ITO this end We are preparing 10 form =
permanent organization OF this character.
We are confident that the result will BE- a
| great step forward In the matter OF secur-
ing proven presentation of the peoples
side in utility cases"
Philadelphia has fight against t'
electric lighting company. and II IL
AIMED that the knowledge gained during
the investigation preceding argument IN
this matter before the Philadelphia Public
Service Commission will be the nrst oh
tanned by tn new bureau. Mayor Blsnh-
enburg has been interviewed on the sub
ject and ne says that IL Is his idea that
the new bureau will he used as clearing
house for public utility information.
1.-THE idea grew out OF our own dim
cultios in acquiring information to help
us in this fight" said Mayor Blsnker-
burg. 1.-THE public utility corporations
have very efficient associations for the
exchange OF experience. information and
organization for the cities that will 10
for people all over the United States what
these associations are doing for the public
utility corporations.
"The new bureau will be at tho service
OF all citizens and Mayors and public ON
Gals everywhere. and OF course the more
| Il Is used the more Its value will increase"
No officers have yet been elected. nor
have the details Of organization been
worked out. Mayor Rlankenburg's an
nouncement says that every city heard
| from so far has given enthusiastic sup
| port TO the suggestion. For the present
| tAe bureau Is being financed privately.