The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-12
HOME RULE FAILS
Kansas Atty Gen. Declares
Cities Cannot Regulate.
State Utilities Control Only
Plan Proven Successful.
1T MUNICIPALITIES. MEETING
States City Officials Hold Ses-
sion Today in Lawrence.
r. J. Hopkins Decries Attempt
to Abolish State Control.

Lawrence, Kan, Oct. 12.-Home
rule for regulation of public utilities
advocated in the 1921 egislature-was
condemned by Richard J. Hopkins, at
torney general, in an address here to-
day before the thirteenth annual con-
vention of the League Kansas
municipalities.
State supervision, the attorney gen
eraI said, has proved generally sue
cessfu1, while home rule, excepting
possibly in a few of the largest Ameri-
can cities, has failed.
Mayors of Kansas There.
The league convention opened this
morning with mayors and city Off
tendance. The days program in
cluded luncheon and dinner served for
the delegates in the Masonic temple
dining hall. and a band concert.
In addition to the attorney general
speakers on the program included
Mayor Charles A. Brown, of Atchison,
president; Mayor George L. Kreeck,
of Lawrence, vice president; John
C. Stutz, secretary-treasurer Mayor
Charles F. Travelute, of MarysVllle;
Mayor Edward Crebo, of Eureka. ana
Mayor o. w. Dawson, OF Great Bend.
The general subject for discussion was
public utility rate regulation
Must Furnish service.
1.-THE American public will no
longer suffer impositions at the hands
of public service corporations, SAID
Attorney General Hopkins in his ad-
dress. 1T demands a high grade OF
service from it's public service cor
porations and clean, efficient ana
straightforward management of It's
utility enterprises. 1t is prepared IN
case such service is not Forthcoming
to place the enterprise under puphc
ownership or else under the olE .s
supervision of its utilities commission.
1.-THE purpose of state regulation is
to see that the public is adequately
served at reasonable rates. without
unjust determinations and that the
securities issued are as closely as pos
properly invested.
Home Rule Failure.
"Much is now claimed for local
regulation of utilities by the munich
palities alone. Instances are pointed
out where local regulation is said to
be successful and many reasons are
given why this form OF regulation Of
fers the best solution of the question.
Local regulation has fallen down
mainly because adequate provisions
have been lacking for enforcement of
ordinance and franchise regulation.
Again, franchises are granted for Il
long period of years and can not be
changed easily to meet new condi-
tons.
State Has More Power.
'.It stands to reason that state con-
troll and regulation OF public utilities
proves more effective than local oper-
alton and control because the juris-
diction is wider, the powers greater,
the sources of information more COM
plete, the practices more uniform, the
needs Of local communities more cas-
lily seen. And the cost under the CEN
tralized system of regulation is rela-
lively less.
Estate regulation as it is known to-
day, while it has its shortcomings and
often fails to give satisfaction, has on
the whole been fairly successful. It
has led to general Improvements in
the service and to more equitable and
on the whole lower rates"