Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1921-11-04
INFORMATION TO
THE PUBLIC.

The following editorial from tn,
Portland (Ore.) Morning Oregoniar
OF Tuesday, June 21st, is reproduced
I without comment, in the belief tha-
it will be of interest to those who
are actively participating in the pub
Lefty and information program OF
the National Electric Light associa.
ton, and those who are more or less
doubtful regarding the necessity for
or the advisability of, the carrying
out of such program:
Keeping the Public Informed.
while public service commissions
exist to do justice between utility
corporations and the public, they owe
election to the people and can be sus-
tanned in taking a judicial view of
the relations between the utility COM
panies and their customers only IL
public opinion is correctly informed
and is interested enough to become
informed. II the public lacks correct
information 1t will follow it's natural
bent to press constantly for lower
rates and will protest against adj
vances in rates, no matter how COM
plete the justification. Yet it insists
on good, efficient service, which can
only be obtained If the utilities OBJ
tain sufficient capital to provide it,
and they cannot obtain this capital
unless investors are assured Of
reasonable profit.
"This explains the discussion of
winning public support and conf
dence in the public service industry
ut the recent northwest electric con-
vention in Portland, which was open
ed with an address by George L.
Myers, assistant to the president Of
he Pacific Power & Light company.
There was no complaint about cor
poration-baiting, such as was COM
non at the inception OF the move
nent for public regulation. IT was
recognized that, IL the public con-
lens decisions that do justice to a
public utility as to its customers, the |
'eason is that. the public does not
understand. Knowledge of the facts
S necessary to understanding, and
he discussion was part Of a gener-
u movement to spread this knowl-
dge, which is growing all over the
ountry. Mr.. Myers advocated tell
ng the whole truth, holding back
othing. Any attempt to conceal or
,isrepresent the truth would be
ltile, for the public service commits
ion exacts complete reports and
iakes most searching investigation
each utility's affairs, and it's re-
ords are open to the public. Then
ny attempt to deceive the public
18th one-sided propaganda would de-.
eat its own end.
"But the lublic Is made up Of
eople who are very busy with their
wn affairs, and they are more in
lined to growl at rates for gas, cleo
ricity, telephones and street cars
nd to "swat" somebody for it at
he next election, than to inquire into
he reasons. After all, the sum i'm
olved In each case seems too small to
istify analysis. which to most people
GEMS dull and complicated. This OBJ
tacle Is being overcome by the effort
I utility companies to make. their
lstomers their owners by selling
heir stock in the communities that
hey serve. A man who holds few
andred or a thousand dollars Of stock
, a company is apt to keep informed
bout its affairs and thus to be
luipped to defend it against unjust
ttacks. When he finds criticism
revalent and serious he will be dis
osed to learn the cause, IL any, and