The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-09-15
HUNTING TROUBLE

nF EMBEgS Of the state corporation commission have issned a
' statement is published in another column Of today s Herald. We
have no doubt that the commissioners are sincere in their expression
! belief TINT this amendment viii increase the powers q the corpora
ton commission. I, is known under te doubtful title Of an amend
lncnt 70 increase the powers Of the commission.
Whether this amendment viii have the cffecf Of increasing the
powers Of the corporation commission or not. depends absolutely upon
what the legislature may do, should the amendment be adopted. One
now have: That is that until the legislature mag otherwise order, .
he commission may tx rate. and FIX The burden Of proof upon the
corporation whose rates arr affected The language Of this power
Is nothing more than an invitation 70 a battle royal IN the legislature
wins, without a chance for any return upon the shipment.
The corporation. r~aiiroada light companies water companies
Telephone company -al Of them, looked with eomplacenry upon this
amendment They were willing 70 take their chances before a legis-
sion written into he constitution. They opposed that proposal They
Id not object 90 the proposal submitted. The legislature, republic
ss" !, sI sas ssas ,e sss s@s & f ~ s%I ieaisssur ~ R IF 4 ( ad s@ : nSiS
ing hs been accomplished The whole matter is snl 10 be fought out
that every corporation doing business in this state will get back into
politics, as was the ease IN the territorial days, and as has been the.
wide open 70 legislation. It will mean that they will be seeking leg.
islaiive nominations for their representatives and that the old time.
corporation Hobbies. absent from Santa Fe since statehood and the
adoption Of the constitution win be back on the job.
On. the other hand adoption Of this proposed amendment will
mean that every radical element advocating every vagrant ism"
win ser in every session Of the Legislature a fresh opportunity to nm
asr'a sena ? s. a' 1smm,h'a ~ o. nse rma ungs rom - - ruIse 90 movie shows
railroad conductors shall wear.
a lime when other states are getting through with the grow
ing pains Of corporation influence on the one hand aud efforts for in
discriminate regulation Of everything on the other; the kind of thing
we VIII have our Legislature converted into a battle ground for these
forces and the public welfare win suffer rs a result.
,o,. The e rorp sSsaIS ,s sSp, s%snSml mas h y d PH%sr n0s shon i T =. have a%sn no
ment carry, the commission will simply become a bone of bitter con
al, and these other Influences which want TO regulate everything
from the length OF bohbed hair TO the ten commandments
The corporation commission should be abolished. A commits
soner Of corporations and utilities should be created with definite ad-
minhrative powers and ready. workable machinery for access to the
state courts. That way lies orderly procedure, prompt relief from
abuses, a bulwafk against "ians."
The adoption Of this amendment would create nothing but trou-
BILE. 1t would create plenty Of that, including the inevitable necessity
Of adopting another constitutional amendment 70 wipe it out.