The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1921-04-06

the court discussed the regulation of
public utilities under the Wisconsin
act as follows:
''The public utility law was enacted
as remedy for well-recognized evil.
1.-THE relations existing between the
respective municipalities and their
public utilities were most unsatisfac-
tory,
"The impotency of the municipal
ties to deal with them so as to secure
adequate and satisfactory service for
reasonable charges was abundantly
demonstrated.
"The officers of the municipality
lacked the training in the technique of
the public utility business which was
essential either to protect the inter-
ests of the citizens or deal justly with
the public utility company.
whether the relations between the
municipality and the utility company
were that of open war or supine &C
quiescence on the part Of the city to
the demands of the company, matter
ed little to the consumer.
Unreasonable demands made by
the city as a result of lack of in
formation concerning the public utility
business were as fruitless of just re-
suits as meek submission to the ulti-
matums of the utility.
"The situation resulted neither in
justice to the consumer Or stable bus
mess conditions to the utility.
$50 it was determined to take from
the municipalities which are not
equipped to fix standards of service
which might reasonably be demanded
under the circumstances and deter
mine reasonable rates therefor, the
regulation and control of public utili-
ties and vest that power with the rail-
road commission, which body, through
its staff of experts, could acquire the
information necessary to fix and en-
force appropriate standards of service
and just and reasonable rates which
should adequately compensate the
utility for the service rendered.
"The legislation has been welcomed
by the public and the public utility
companies alike.
ut has never been suggested thai
the purpose of the legislation was 9TH
CT Indt 1OI IAAc pAOuAOtlOfl VI tllc pun
lie interests. That it's effect was not
to Cypress the public service corpora
ton is abundantly shown by the fact
that during the four years (from 1907
to 1917 in which the law was cleo
tive, many, if not the great majority,
of those corporations voluntarily sur
rendered their existing franchises and
submitted to the provisions of the law.
1T is believed that fourteen years
of experience has indicated the law
as q measure of great public benefit,
although recently, when abnormal in
dustrial and commercial conditions
have given rise to a general increase
in rates of service, mutterings against
the law, or its administration, may be
heard.
"But it should not be forgotten that
successful regulation must be fearless
and fair and Accommodated to the ext
gencies Of changing conditions.
Whenever the administrative agen-
cy appointed to arbitrate between the
public and the utility is influenced by
public sentiment rather than consider
atoms of justice, the purpose of the
law will fail, not because of its infirm-
tiles, but because of it's weak and serv-
lie administration.
"Critics should appreciate that priv
ate capital devoted to public service
is entitled to a fair return and that it
requires more courage and character
to render just, than popular deci-
sions. "-Winnebago Enterprise.
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