Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-26
Report of Public Utilities Com
mission

nCpOTl VI uUlAC OtAAAtACS NVAsA
mission
The annual report of the Maine
Public Utilities Commission, now
filed with the Governor and Council
lays particular stress on the feature
of increased rates, and refers to some
criticism which has arisen because of
such increases, and discusses the ex-
listing conditions.
In doing this it recognizes not only
it's duty to the public, but also the
fact that a commission filling the i'm
portant position it occupies is, in self
interest as well as in duty, bound to
10 everything in its power to keep
the public informed respecting the
public utilities it supervises. In no
other way may the public be in
formed and know when the decisions
of the commission are in accord with
justice.
The commission also devotes a
considerable part Of. its argument to
the matter of good service. basing
its conclusions on the premise that:
What each customer most desires is
the quality and kind of service which
fits his desires and needs. While the
price he pays cannot be said to be
of no consequence, it is, nevertheless,
of secondary consideration. What
the public most complains against is
the withdrawal of service in whole or
in part, or the rendering of an in
ferior or inadequate quality of serv-
ice
This feature of the public utilities
must not be overlooked. 1t is indeed
u most important phase Of the sub
ject as those of us well know who
have experience curtailment in facil-
tiles made necessary by war condi-
lions. We all want good service. we
expect to pay for it, we realize that
it cannot be had by government man
agenent, we are convinced that priv
atc ownership cannot if it would.
provide it except at profit. In view
Of these facts, apparent If we will but
take time TO consider them, we do not
apprehend the criticism occasioned
by the increases in rates will create
any extended prejudice in the public
mind that is we'll informed. So we
would conclude that the real test Of
the commission will come later, in
the performance of its duty to see
that the management is economical
as well as efficient, that the rates
conform to changes in conditions,
and are such as to encourage use,
that everybody is receiving a square
deal.
That this Is an undertaking of
magnitude requires no argument.
Competition has been termed the life
OF trade, though exceptions OCCASION
ally seem to prove the contrary. The
public, if convinced that competition
really exists, rests comparatively
easy in the belief that there will be a.
survival of the fittest. That this is
questionable in some instances may
be held. nevertheless it is apparent
that the individual or group of in
dividuals surviving the test undergo
an exacting training and usually are
compelled to be efficient. In the case
of public utilities where such compe-
tition is impracticable or impossible,
what may supply it's incentive? The
regulating powers step in, where, it
might be said. angels would fear to
tread. They are confronted with in
Vulnerable problems. How shall eff
cheney be maintained except under
the stress of competition is one of
them. Not rates nor salaries may be
depended on alone to do this. There
must be intelligent, unfinching su-
pervision. there must be reasonable
requirements insisted upon, and the
public must know about them. Other
wise it will be impossible to secure
what the commission in its report re-
fers to as: First and most import
ant, the company must merit and
have the good will and cooperation
of it's customers"
I'VE waste enough to feed half of