The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-06
BAN ON BUSINESS.

The public utilities commlSSlon DIS
present constituted by the majority
members thereof. is probably about
the most useless, expensive commits
sion enjoyed or suffered by the state
of Kansas.
1t is a menace to the necessities of
the public; a political proposition that
reflects discredit upon Governor Cap
per and his administration.
TO be specific: The fact that To-
peka does not have gas for cooking
and other purposes, aside from heat
ing and even including heating in
measure, in mild weather, is due in
the main to three people; to the po-
litical and trivial maneuvers on the
part of the commission in the face of
known situation that cannot be
remedied as long as Chairman Bris-
tow and the member of the commits
sion who supports him do not change
their spots, and as long as Governor
Capper persistently sustains the COM
mission in it's useless and expensive
work by retaining these men on the
COMMISSION anu ny supporting lIlclL
action in editorials in his paper.
All the expensive litigation that has
been piled up by Mr.. Bristow's COM
mission. including the legal depart
ment for the commission. which is
about as necessary as a legal depart
ment to any other commission aside
from the attorney general, have re-
suited in nothing Of credit in connec-
ton with the gas situation.
We now neither have gas nor the
moderate price that could have been
year had this commission and the gov
ernor not played politics.
In the opinion of the State Journal
in the interest of the public, Mr.. Bris-
tow and Mr.. Kinkle, whose terms soon
expire, should not be reappointed, but
new men named who will give a
square deal to both the public ard
the utilities.
As a matter of fact, Mr.. Kinkle's
time is already out. and Mr.. Bristow' 5
term has less than a year remaining.
The governor has & chance right now
to be of real service to the people in
Siiio s7e'S AiidlbCif oPPOlIlt new man
who will not be dominated by Bristow
and who will give gas investors some
inducement to spend money for equip
nent and gas instead of for eternal
litigation
No fair minded citizen wants any
thing but fair treatment Every SEN
sible citizen is willing to pay a fair
price for service, but he wants the
service. We should have had gas to-
day except for political perversities
on the part of the Bristow- Kinkle
commission in denying anything but a
confiscatory rate.
Mr. Foley's hands are tied. He has
filed minority reports, but they were
as useless as Bristow and Kinkle have
made the commission
The efforts of Mr. Bristow and Mr..
Kinkle and Governor Capper's paper
to secure a ascent gas rate are alb
solutely futile. Within the last year.
gas could have been secured for as
low as 80 cents per thousand At
prepared to close contracts for mate
rial for the necessary engagements
of their pipe line facilities.
Aill6dllOH anu ueldy enSueu, Que
wholly to the attitude of the commits
sion. Meanwhile. these nearby gas
fields were absorbed by smelters and
other interests SO that now they are
gone. The available gas field is fur
ther away and more expensive to
reach.
A ascent rate for gas is now no
more possible for Mr. Bristow and
Governor Capper to secure than it is
possible for them to secure paper upon
which to print their newspapers for
two cents a pound-that time has gone
by. Governor Capper's paper and
newspapers generally have advanced
their subscription rates and advertising
rates in view of changed conditions
and Editor Bristow must do the same
or go out of profitable business, just
as his commission has driven the gas
distributing companies into receiver
ships. because they were not permitted
by him to advance their rates in &C.
cordance with new conditions.
No set of men will put money into
/ a losing proposition or one inheritina
/ lawsuits instead of business oppor-
tunities. or one that they are conf
dent will lose under the conditions
facing it and under an unjust util-
tiles commission persisting in unfair
treatment. 1t means bankruptcy and