The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-14
Separate Utilities
Commission For d. C..
By BILL PRICE.

BY BILL PRlCE
The movement in Congress for the creation Of
separate Public Utilities Commission for the District
of Columbia is in line with the urgent recommends
tons OF this newspaper for years back
A few dollars may be saved by imposing the
duties OF public service commissioners upon the
District Commissioners, but the arrangement is
neither wise nor conducive to intelligent and proper
handling of utility problems
There is plenty of work for the District Commits
sioners executive heads of the Capital City. To
apply themselves to existing and prospective
nicipal problems; to keep abreast of municipal de-
velopments and progress elsewhere, and to keep in
constant touch with civic thought in the District
through callers visits etc. is all that should be ex-
pected.
When to executive duties added the difficult
and arduous tasks of passing upon public utilities
questions the complication is just little too much,
and it is humanity impossible that both positions
should receive the attention they deserve.
Our utility problems are tied into knots and there
should be commission composed of men who can
give every official minute to working out these
problems in the most efficacious manner.
The public is entitled to lower rates for telephones
electricity and gas and to lower car fares
possible. This must be brought about without
fscatory destructive processes Yet the spectacle
is today presented of street corporation
making 10 per cent annually upon its valua-
ton as found by the Public Utilities Commission.
On top of that is inclination the part of street
car corporations to demand returns upon their prop
critics far in excess of what they entitled to-
1t should be borne in mind that the public is still
carrying oppressive burdens and ought to be given
relief The theory of the present Utilities Commits
sion has been that local public utilities should di
vide the burdens with the public until normally re-
turns. That theory is still good one.
Street car problems will continue to be puzzling
and intricate for years to Congressional
legislation has been essential for long time, but
nothing has been accomplished. Members of the
Public Utilities Commission should be in position to
spend all their time aiding in restoring equitable
Notwithstanding solution that will bring bet
ter car service and lower fares.
A live and energetic commission could and should
keep posted as to successful operations of public
utilities throughout the country; analyze the facts
that be gathered, and apply them to the local
tangle.
Either one of the street railway corporations of
Washington pays more money annually to legal and
other talent to represent its interests before the
Public Utilities Commission than would be paid in
salaries to new and distinct commission. If it
is good business for corporation to do that it
ought to be good business for the public to feel
that its interests were protected by men thoroughly
familiar with every phase of utilities questions
1t should not be forgotten that dividends not
all that street railways operated for They are
primarily operated to serve the public. They are
entitled to reasonable returns upon genuine-not
Observation-Disclosures, and should receive fares suffi
cent to enable good service and furnish extension of
service it is needed.
separate Utilities Commission should be
composed of men who begin their work with the
understanding that the first duty of public utility
is to the public, and that it is to receive for
that service fares rates that will give reasonable
returns and provide for depreciation and improve
ment. This commission should be allowed to pay
salaries that will attach to it experts in engineer
ing and other questions qualified by experience and
intellect to deal with the experts put forward by
utility corporations