Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-07-13
MIR. Laird.
Editorial from the Baltimore Sun !:


Editorial from the Baltimore Sun:
The Public Service Commission loses
something more than individual expert
ence and ability in losing Mr.. Laird. 1t
loses exceptional earnestness, conscien-
tiousness and character. Few other Mary
land officials in recent years have shown
such complete devotion to public interests !;
few have so unselfshly sacrificed health.
personal convenience and comfort to the
public welfare there have been fewer still
who have been pursued by Office and had
1t forced upon them. as has been notably
the case with Mr. Laird in connection with
his service to the State in the commission
and as Speaker of the House in 1915. In
deed, his record in this respect has been
unique in the last two or three decades of
Maryland history, and he retires now with a
distinction that is as enviable as it is un-
usual in an era when politicians are nearly
always Barkises and rarely require to be
urged into office.
Maryland takes off her hat to an old
fashioned public man with an old-fashioned
conscience. He has done the State much
service" in various ways. but most of all
as an example Of official loyalty to trust
in spirit and in deed,
Mr.. Laird's withdrawal lays a heavy
but compelling duty upon Governor Har-
rington. The latter may find 1t hard to
get successor as able and as honest as
the man who has withdrawn. but he must
name the very best available man. The
post is so important that nothing less than
this will be tolerable.
Mr.. LAIRD's SUCCESSOR.
Editorial from Baltimore News.
There will be widespread regret over
Mr.. Philip D. Laird's resignation from the
Public Service Commission. His expert
ence. temperament, industry and charac-
ter have done much to inspire confidence
in the Commissions work and it will be
no easy matter to find a man as well
equipped for the place.
Fortunately. we have passed the stage
when public service corporations would
boldly undertake to dictate such an ap-
pointment. They may still seek to influ-
ence selections. but well-managed cor
porations have given over belief that they
are serving their own interests by wire
pulling and underground work. Regulation
of them is here to stsy and they are as
much concerned as is the public in seeing
that the trust is imposed in hands that are
fit to exercise it.
The years following the war are certain
to witness noticeable changes in the atti-
tude of the public toward big business.
not only as represented in public service
corporations but in big business in every
line Of endeavor. With the Government
fixing prices of foOdstuffs, Of coal and steel
and other commodities that have hereto
fore been left to such regulation as CON-
petition afforded. there is likely to be de-
mand in the future for continuation of
Government oversight and. possibly. Of
control even in these fields. 1t goes with
out saying that there will be no slackening
in control Of corporate monopolies. With
this point settled, only the most short
sighted of corporations will adopt any
policy other than that of frank submission
and open dealing, seeking fair profit by
fair treatment of the public and looking
to it for protection from injustice. 1t is to
their interest that the commissions reeu-
lating them shall be composed Of men of
the highest standing. courage and ability.
The time may come when they will need
buffer against unjust demands on the
part Of the public they serve. No tool Of
their own can Withstand an aroused and
hostile public sentiment Only man who
has the highest sense Of public duty, who
possesses public confidence and who is
not afraid to 60 against the tide will
measure up to such responsibility.
That is the character Of man Governor
Harrington should choose for this important
post. No appointment in his gift will be
more carefully weighed.