The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-11-24
Public Utilities Commission
Reorganization
Ry Bull PRICE

CONGRESSMAN zIHLMAN, who will head the District Com
mittee in the House. that he will legislation
for drastic the Public Utilities Commission
survey of needs of the District will demonstrate
that Mr. Zman should put this proposed reorganization at
the top of the local legislative program and keep it there
until desirable legislation has been brought about
Whether best that the present personnel of the Com
mission be retained and additional Commissioners pro-
vided Mr. Zhlman to have in mind should be
fully considered.
The strongest part of Mr. Zihmans plan is that for
peoples attorney who will give his undivided time to public
utilities work.
While the personnel of the Public Utilities Commission is
extreme importance real should be its counsel
and he should all times regard himself attorney
for the people
In all utilities the corporations take good of
themselves They abundantly supplied with eminent
counsel and experts they deficient in any of these
departments they spend money freely for the services Of
special experts attorneys Though the money thus spent
technically their out of the pockets Of the pub
ic which thus pays to have its interests opposed
The weakest thing attitude of Congress toward the
rights of the Washington public the fact that knows that
the corporations are strongly and thoroughly in
al utilities problems and that the public
eept by the commission. This counsel is paid
$1,000 year for his services.
The chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company this year
paid 100000 for counsel and experts to prepare its
fight before against reduction of telephone
rates That is just public utilities corporation In Wash
ington has managed may be added to avoid reduction
The present Utilities Commission though
able and gives most Of his time to the District
corporation he absolutely unable give the at
tenion he should problems before the Utilities Commission
Any legislation passed by Congress should require peoples
counsel give time utilities work and his salary
should be ample enough his reinquhing other
work It should be less than $1,000 annually and $4,000
would be proper.
And Of equal importance with peoples attorney APP
preparations liberal enough warrant the employment Of
ghcas accountants the reports of local u
ties and to make thorough Investigations when rate questions
are up for consideration.
It has shown many times that the Public Utilities Com
without adequate force to make than surface
investigations The utilities corporations plenuly supplied
money submit ali Of figures that virtually
challenged They do about they please fully that
the Public Utilities Commission does not have sufficient &C.
countants or experts cope with them
As the personnel of commission, MIR. Nhlman
add the existing personnel engineer and
lawyer making total of five members three of which
now paid salaries District Commissioners and would not be
paid as Utilities Commissioners The combination might work
all right but wouldn't it be advisable to make new
commission independent without the District Commissioners
forming part of it?
Our District Commissioners have all they do munich
pal heads of the city of Washington Public utilities work is
another job altogether and big enough job for three to
keep busy with they devote themselves and they should
keeping intimate touch with all phases Of utilities
tons constantly arising.
No reorganization bill will be satisfactory which fails to
provide people, counsel paid to stick to the job Of protect
ing the interests Of the public.
The duties Of commission semi judicial The members
supposed to be impartial Therefore the necessity for
peoples attorney represent what his impes-THE
PEOPLE and let the utilities take Of themselves they
always do.