New Britain herald., 1915-05-04
REPEAL OF CHAPTER
 39l6 UP IN SENATE
IsbtI's Role aS Peoples Champion
 StducS BTec


 day temporarily laid aside the finance bill to dispose of the bill under which it is proposed to repeal chapter 3916 of the general statutes. Senator Is- bell made the opening explanation of the bill. which already has passed the house. He said it provided for the placing of all construction and reconstruction of electric transmission systems under control of the public utilities commission. It provides also for companies to sell such electricity by giving notice to the commission and receiving the latter's consent after hearing. The committee felt that the law embodied in chapter 3916, amended by chapter 254 of the public acts of 1909, never should have been written on the statute books. The committee had two courses open, one to take off all restrictions, and throw the doors wide open to any one who wished to come in and sell electricity or to- take the course set out in this bill, which will protect companies now in existence
 House Amendment Adopted. } A house amendment changing the .phraseology of section was adopted.
 senator Cheney asked for delay un- til tomorrow, that he might consider amendments which had been offered. lsbeIl opposed delay. Senator Whitney asked Tor delay as anendme ents he had prepared would have to be redrafted as he found that the amendm ent adopted in the house had changed the wording Senator Isbell replied that there was just one question contained in the bill and it is time to define it: What are the interests of the public of Connecticut? He said that when matters are starred for action and one side fears the result they always try for delay. He said he did not believe that Senators Cheney and Whitney were trying to delay proceedings but they should consider the sources from which the suggestions come.
 Two Amendments Adopted.
 An amendment limiting the bill in it's application to electricity generated within the state was adopted, as was another amendment protecting firms now operating, both being house am endments.
 An amendment offered by Senator Magee yesterday to provide that pub- lie convenience and necessity must be shown, occasioned considerable de- bate. MT. Magee said he was in ac- cord with two sections which gave the public utilities commission the right to protect the public interests, but l secton 8, he thought, took away that 1 protective power.
 Advocating Fair Bill.
 Senator Isbell said he realized that ! everybody is liable to make mistakes, but he believed that this time he was ] advocating a fair bill The Magee ] amendment would take the matter l right back to where 1t started. Cor porations have Tucked thin ice' from time to time when such restrictions l! have been met as are included in this ! bill by falling back on the words pub 1 lie convenience and necessity
 If they succeeded in getting those l words into this bill it will be inpos- | sible for any one to get a decision as | to the terms necessity and con- yenience."
 Bills Not for People.
 Senator Bree said he was startled l at the role of Senator Isbell as the l peoples champion. The question, he l said. is not the peoples interest for ! this bill has been under suspicion | ever since it's introduction. It never 1 was in favor of the people and is only l in the interest of those people who 1 want to set up such corporations, sell l them out, and inevitably the public l will have to pay the burden through | increased rates. The public will be ! the only sufferer. In view Of that how | can any one make the claim that this ! bill is offered in the interests of the l public? MT. Bree moved, for a roll l call vote and was ordered.