The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-02-13
Sunday, February l3, 1921.
WHY A STATE CORPORATION
COMMISSION?

COMMISSION?
The fact that the Arkansas Legislature
has already passed bill abolishing It's public
service commission while Texas legislators
are seriously contemplating similar action in
that state, may we'll lead to the question. as
the same could well be propounded in Okla
homa, Why a state corporation commits
sion?"
Recognized by other names, commissions
exist in practically every state in the union.
These commissions, created by acts of legis-
latures with following approval Of the COVER
nor, are given judiciary powers and have the
right to adjudicate all matters wherein any
part or all Of the people of state, on the one
hand, and any corporation, on the other hand,
may be at divergence.
While it was never the intention of any
legislative body in creating such commissions,
to bring into existence bodies which would
sandbag public utilities corporations, it was
the palpable intention of the law to create a
judiciary body which would safeguard the in
terests of the citizens of state, the citizens
en- masse, from the humblest to the most high
and exalted.
Legislatures of the several states wherein
such commissions have been established, rec
ognized that corporations had rights which
should be protected. but at the same time
they recognized an axiom; that while So
called big business is essential to the welfare
of state and nation, it is ever palpably evil
dent that big business, ever growing more an
hungered with increasing prosperity and
power is inclined to grasp and throttle the
smaller fry in order that the already big bus-
ness may develop into something bigger and
broader and more sweeping. Recognizing,
thus, the pro and con of the case corporation
commissions railway and warehouse commits
sions, public service commissions were created
by state legislatures in order that the rights
of the one threatened should be safeguarded
and conserved Viewed with the eyes of the
creating statutes, these commissions should
know no distinctions, should play no favorites.
But, as it has been written, the best laid
plans of man oft go astray,' so it might be
Just as truly written that the best intentioned
laws are all too often wrongly construed,
even as it has been chroniced that "hel is
paved with good intentions"
Thus it is that we note, in practically
every state. if not in every state which main.
tains rs n part of its government corpora
lion or similar commission, a growing senti-
ing demand for their abolition, for their dis
continuance.
It goes without saying that there is a
reason for this While the public is always
erratic and mercurial, while popular senti-
ment is ever changeable and changing, at the
same time there is always some tangible
foundation upon which popular opinion builds
its superstructure some good and valid rea-
son why majority opinion should exist.
Take the history of the Oklahoma State
Corporation Commission especially during
the past couple of years, thoroughly inves-
tigate its rulings and adiudications, read
every finding of that body, as set forth in the
majority report OF any case upon which n
hearing has been hed, and you will find
that in every instance the public has been the
fellow who has held the bag in the snipe
hunt.
There has not been a street car company
that has asked hike in teriffs, that did not
get the hike prayed for: there has not been a
fuel or electric light company that has sought
a greater return for the fuel and lights il had
for SALE that was not gwen the Increase
sought: there was not moments hestancy
after the Interstate Commerce Commission
gave the railways the extortionate advances
asked. .pon tho part of the Oklahoma COM
mission ir ordering an increase in intrastate
rates 10 correspond with the interstate in
crease.
The Ardmorete is not attempting to try
any of these cases before the great jury of its
readers. II is not seeking TO inquire into
whether or not the rate hikes asked BY the