The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-03-04
TOO MUCH
POWER FOR
COMMISSION
Senate Wants to Get
Act From Governor
Cooper New Body
Would Be Able to
Regulate e V e I. y
Public Utility in the
State

Columbia. March IA peculiar
situation Developed in the senate
just before midnight tonight during
the debate on the public service
commission bill when il WaS dis
covered chat Che act providing for
The new consolidated public ser
vice bill contained large supervisory
and regulatory powers over every
public utility operating in South
:,r, lima. both us 10 rates and Sell
vice
The nattcr was referred 10 by
Srnat"r Watkins in his speech op-
posing .he public service bill and
he c!;.itncd that the measure will
no; h, necessary III view OF the
:::lcnd.ncnt to the railroad commis-
SION till.
Senators McGhec. Donham and
others claimed that they, did not
Know uf the amendment when they
voted for concurrence in the house
amendments. otherwise there would
nave beer a free conference com
niltce. After considerable discus
-i.,ii. durir. whi:h Senator Eonh3m
movcd to adjourn debate on the
public service bill un,il the other
ln;:tter could be disposed OF, 1t was
decided that it VIII take concur
rent resolution TO get the measure
on, % the h:tads OF 10" governor.
" 30 has not signed il yet. for pos
sihlc amendment in the senate. The
ill Was ratified rs an act THIS
morning.
Tac amendment over which 4
s:orIa was raised was introduced n
The house b. w d. Barnett OF
!,:c!,iand. February %. and adopt
ed hv the house 1t reads:
Tho railroad commission is htre-
hv vested with power and juriS"ia-
ton to supervise and regulate the
rates aad service OF every puDHc
u.i!ity in this state and 10 file sucn
iusr and Reasonable standards, clas-
Silica:ionS. .e--res,lfatfons. practices
and measurements Of service to ie
furnished. imposed or observed ana
followed by every public utli!t; "a
this state.
The bill providing for the no~ .-''-
and duties Of the publis. ser
commission was debated .hr"Hs's-
out he whole session of the sen
a,c tonight. The bill was infro-
d,.c1 and passed by the house lust
session. II seeks TO giv+ tn" p'pi'c
service commission authority 10
nd i,,st and make equitable rats 10
H.. charged. by power companies.
An amendment WAS offered 10
wake the provisions applicable 10
.;,,. newly created railroad con;nlS-
sim with which the public service
commission has been combined th-
Ter the act recently passed by Inc
i,.~,s,o,urc. Senator Miller foster
"a the b!ll and made a strong APP
nea, Ior ii. Senators feafce ah"
J.an,v also spoke III favor OF 'ie
hin, senators Hart. McGhc" Young
and Noise spoke IN opposition 10
IN. hiIl. senator McC"ll wanted
tan a:lcNdmcnt inS''lt'' ~
electric power plants which are
owned and controlled by menlcl-
paliiics. :a ~.
The serate tonight received the
concurrent resolution from the
house calling for an l'veS' ,S.,'.o''
Of the street car strike in Column
hi, on objection consideration
wcut over until tomorrow.
senator Wells tonight introduced
. ioirt resolution providing .or an
cy1cns:on OF time for the pay 'iiei''
Of taxes in arrears.
The senate adjourned shortly al
,,r n,;,lri.ht without reachihs
yo,. ON ,he bill under debate