The Washington times., 1923-06-18
Separate Personnel for the
Public Utilities Commission
The Members Should Be Independent and Distinct From
the District Commissioners
By BILL PRICE.


The retiring Engineer Commissioner, Col. CHARLES
KELLER also chairman of the Public Utilities Com
mission absent Washington for than two
months, His successor, Maj. j. FRANKLIN BELL will
the duties of the two offices about the LIST Of July
There phases of public utility problems constantly
arising in this city which call for uninterrupted supervision
and attention The other members of this commission
duty well the secretary to the body and con-
dions demanding quick action they would doubtless
it, but they doubt feel that they should not become
active charge of utility questions pending the
induction into office of the Engineer Commissioner who
will if precedents followed, become chairman Of the
Public Utilities Commission.
Colonel Keller had hardly settled in his work as
Commissioner and member Of the u g. before he resigned
accept position private life To extent Colonel
Keller followed the policies of the Public Utilities Commits
that had been established by that body while Colonel
KUTz chairman These policies though at times criticised
by the public appeared to be fair alike to the public and to
local utility corporations The commission since its establish
ment, has sought apply widely recognized principle
people Washington should compelled pay
to local utilities only such fares rates. would yield
the corporations reasonable returns upon just valuations of
their properties and not upon highly padded waered
valuations.
Some Of the corporations through appeals the courts
have agreed with the commissions policies have
sought exort money from the people of this city they
entitled They do remember that the
upseng Of the caused financial distresse
among utilities throughout the United States and
many failed nourishment
they expected public commissions The result
tons for large numbers the cutting off of all dividends huge
financial losses and depreciation Of serious nature
The Public Utilities Commission of Washington did per-
init anything of that kind happen here allowed
local utilities sufficient keep them going Through
the peculiar situation here company
has rolled in wealth through years that mighty
to similar all through the United States That
local company and its stockholders several millions Of
dollars better off they should have been had
settled the admittedly nequitabe conditions The public
contributed these extra millions and is still compelled to
continue the contributions, despite its protests.
That situation however, is wholly chargeabe
Public Utilities Commission. That body might estah
shed different rates Of fare the competing
railway lines but the effects might serious-fst
in throwing upon the company charging the lesser fare
burden in transportation could not have handled without
chaos second in possible financial wreckage of
company.
In the policies therefore the future should find
the Public Utilities Commission leaning strongly
ton Of relieving the public Of and charges that
getting unfair every day in view of dividends
that are being divided by local utility corporations
Had the Public Utilities Commission been composed of
membership personnel entirely separate District
Commissioners with prolonged directing
head would have been possible for early consideration of
problems that might bring relief people again
confronted by higher living
tons in fares electric light gas telephone rates. if
such reductions justified by analysis of gross and net
returns.
Major Bell acquaint himself utilities situa
ton here in short time It will take study to
go into the figures submitted to him. When he does
become familiar with the details his policies may be the
those of his predecessors.
Delays in keeping in close touch with matters
of benefit to utility corporations that getting
and do not to be shaken loose from the good thing
they have but there NO BENEFITS TO THE PUBLIC.
The principal lesson from the whole thing that there
should be independent Public Utilities Commission, the
members Of which would always be job position
to take any problem without loss Of Vacancies
through resignation death would still members
thoroughly informed corporations
and up-to-date every question.
The Engineer Commissioner of the District
all he properly handle in regular office
This also true to the civilian Commissioners of
the District There time when these three Commissioners
are not busy strictly municipal problems fair
TO them that they should be sadded with utilities that
should go before men having other duties perform
During the few months the Board OF Commits
soners win be engaged preparing estimates Congress
OF District needs for the fiscal
same time attend the many other municipal questions that