Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-05
PubHc Serpice Commiissiion

The Public Service Commission law,
created by an act of Assembly, approved
July 26, 1918, is one of the utmost i'm
portance to the people of Pennsylvania
and to those corporations serving the
people which are defined as public utll-
tiles. This law puts the ultimate control
of public service companies, with respect
to services, facilities and rates, in .
commission selected under the authority
of the State Up to the time of the pas
sage of the act this control was vested
in the boards of directors of these cor
porations, subject only to such redress
upon the part OF the public as could be
secured by suits in the courts, and was
often exercised without regard to any
interests save those of the corporations
which the directors represented, During
the short period of a year and half
since the enactment of the law 1t has
proven to be Of great benefit to the peo'
pie. Not only have they come to the
commission with confidence to present
their complaints concerning excessive
rates, grade crossing and similar matters
of Importance, but the very fact thai
there exists such an impartial tribunal,
with authority promptly and inexpensive
ly to determine disputes, has led to care
and self restraint upon the part OF the
corporations.
Many cases OF far-reaching Importance
have already been disposed OF by the
Commission. In one instance, the supply
of heat of borough was turned on as
winter approached. The hearing before
the Commission was ended at s p. m, an
opinion written during the night, and ~
10 a, m. and at 10 a. m, the next DAY
an order was issued requiring the supply
TO be restored. The whole system Of tee-
phone rates throughout the State is under
consideration. and the rates upon the
transportation of anthracite coal to Phil
adelphia have been materially reduced
The right of some OF the industrial roaqs
to participate in through rates was de-
termined, although the Interstate Com
meree Commission had decided otherwise
Between January l, 1914. and June "
1919, % grade crossings were abolished
and four under grade and seven over
head crossings were established.
Three hundred and ninety-five cases
were transferred to the Commission az
the time OF the expiration OF the Penn
sylvania State Railroad Commission. ana
most OF these have since been determined.
II IS an indication of the usefulness o.
the Commission that In addition 10 these,
between July 26, 1918, and June 80, lslA
zo4 cases. some OF them raising questions
or gravest consequences. have been
brought before the Commission. one
hundred and iifty-three applications tpf
certificates of public convenience with
respect TO contracts between municipalities
and public utility corporations. have bees
Med and ss OF them have been approved.
Since the work or the Commission y
rapidly enlarging both as 70 the numpf
and Importance OF the matters brou9nt
before them for determination. and sinca
me vast number Of taFiffs over whfcn
-hey have supervision are filed with them
ana require to be provided for ana ans
yzed, additional space and facilities ought
70 be furnished BY the Commonwealth.
attorney General
The Attorney Generals department has
rendered valuable services to the com-
aonwealth, not only IN advising the many
departments OF State upon questions of