Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1926-12-30
UTILITIES INFORMATION
COMMITTEE OF GEORGIA
PROVES VERY VALUABLE

"The state utility commissions have
proven the most effective government
tai machinery thus far established
for the regulation of public utilities"
said Dean Ralph E. Heilman, of the
Northwestern University School of
Commerce, addressing the Indiana
State Teachers Association on Gov
eminent and Business
"Viewed purely as form of gov
eminent machinery there can be no
doubt that they have proven the most
effective machinery thus far devised
much superior to detailed control
by legislative bodies, state legisla-
lures, city councils, etc.
municipal ownership movement in
"The conditions responsible for the
the United States have to consid-
cradle extent disappeared, OF are in
process of doing so.
Doubtless one of the most impor-
tant factors responsible for the mu-
nicipal ownership movement has been
the existence of many small commu-
mites in which private corporations
| did not care to undertake the service
because it did not appepar profitable.
In most states there are a goodly
number of municipality operated elec-
trio plants which owe their existence
to such condition. Also, the abuses
and evils which were due to unen-
lightened management of certain util-
ity companies were strong factors in
creating the demand for public ow-
nership.
But today conditions have chang
ed in both of these respects. The
coming of giant power is bringing it
about that almost any community can
obtain electric service without the
necessity of resorting to municipal
operation. And in most of our states
we have established utility commits
sions or boards, such as the Indiana
Utilities Commission, vested with
wide powers of regulation and con-
troll over the rates, service, securi-
ties, plant, equipment and facilities
of public utilities. The power to con-
troll is flexible and adjustable. The
commission may from time to time
issue new orders or decisions regard
/ ing these matters, as necessary in
order to meet changing conditions. 1t
the rates are regarded as too high,
| if the service or facilities are thought
to be inadequate, the. matter may al
ways be referred to the commission.
Prompt and impartial consideration is
provided. The commission is clothed
with full power to order such changes
as are necessary to promote the pub
| lie convenience. The establishment
of adequate machinery for regulation
and control, through public utility
commissions, has substantially weak
ened the demand for public owner
ship of utilities.
at is not to be understood that
every privately owned utility is more
efficient, more economical, more pro-
gressive and provides better service
than any publicly owned plant. 1t
| would be going too far to say that
there are no successful publicly oper-
ated utilities. Certainly public ow-
nership at its best is better than pri-
vate ownership at its worst. But po-
litical conditions are seldom favor
able for the operation of public ow-
nership at its best; whereas under
present methods of regulation and
control, the evils of private owner
ship are rapidly disappearing.
"If we do not regard our machin-
cry or laws for the regulation or bust
ness as adequate, we can change or
improve them, at any time, by legis-
lation. Certainly if we are not able
to administer the machinery the laws
that we now have for regulation and
control, or improve them if necessary
we are not justified in assuming the
burdens of ownership and manage
Iment, which would prove infinitely
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