South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-06

come from both sides when orders
have been entered.
The record of the railroads is ex-
cellent Judge Duncan calls atten-
ton 10 the great flood losses in 1913
and the depression that followed and
lasted until about the middle Of 1915.
During the three years the railroads
expended in Indiana TO capital &C
count $5,762.575.5O in complying
with legal enactments and orders OF
the commission. This was $500
600 more than in any other three
years. They have expended $1,000
600 in maintenance and operation of
improvements included in these or
ders. Many miles Of block signals
have been installed. many switches
and interlockers, and 100000 was
expended in changing cabooses to
conform to-new laws. separation
grades, safety appliances at all cross
ings, have been installed and thor
OUgh inspections made. AS Judge
Duncan summarizes results. we
have not spent the revenues OF the
state in strife with these carriers.
but have achieved results by peacea-
BILE means. We have refused TO az
que the wisdom Of the law. That is
for the legislature. The record
stands out with 400 fewer trainmen
hurt and 700 fewer other persons in
jured during 1915 by the railroads
than either in 1912, 1913 or 1914.
Eliminating Implications.
one of the greatest economies
has been in the elimination of dUpli-
cation OF public utilities. Judge Dun
can points out that 10 mergers
of competing telephone companies
have been ordered. thereby enlarg-
ing the usefulness of these utilities to
the public" At the same time these
mergers have stopped duplicate con-
struction expenditures on which sub
scribers would eventually have TO pay
returns in higher rates. have brought
immediate relief TO those compelled
10 pay double rates by having two
telephones. and has given 10 each
telephone in use access to every 9TH
er telephone in the community and
to all long distance service anywhere.
In cites such as New Albany and
AiAANEAOi WlNAt AlAti6 were no DIO-
visions for filtering the water sup
ply, the companies have been forced
TO install filtering plants and fur
nish pure water This is one OF the
things that saves human lives. and
as Judge Duncan says, is not esti-
mated in the dollars and cents col
umn Of the commissions report
AID PUBLIC SERVICE-GAL2
Like conditions and controver-
sizes" says the report. have been
presented in more than one hundred
satisfactory conclusions have been
reached by the commission and
where services OF the highest value
have been rendered to the people Of
tn state"
Further the report says: We have
refused 10 permit duplication Of
property where the utility has sur
rendered its franchises" This means
submission 10 public regulation. BY
prev nting Implications we have
worked large economies for the peo-
pie and prevented much bitter strife
arising from competition" The COM
4lAlSS4On ntItlu ItIOHllALtS dlcO lutl
competition in public utilities is the
worst OF waste that falls upon the
people.
Much that has been accomplished
has been from one Indianapolis news
paper serving selfish motives. Judge
Duncan refers 10 this newspaper
abuse as "unfruitful labor" since the
five men Of the commission will pa
tiently endeavor TO right as he is
given TO see the right, but not one Of
them will permit any man or set Of
men TO use him 10 sandbag honest
values out of property, or coerce
owners TO sell TO a Chicago syndi-
cate"
News Times Special Service:
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.-Nick Tel
Ian hacame intoxicated and went 10