Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-09-13
Timely Views
PUBLIC UTILITIES INQUIRY AS
EFFICIENT
BY THOMAS J. WALSH
u. S. Senator From Montana

Thomas Jmes Walsh was born at Two Rivers.
Wis, June l2, 1859. He was educated In the public
schools Of Wisconsin. He taught school for a time.
becoming principal Of a high school at Sturgeon
Bay. Wis., and began practicing law with his
brother, Henry Walsh, at Rcdfield. S. d. In 1890
he moved TO Helena. Mont, establishing the law
firm 81 Walsh. Nolan and Scallon. in 1907. He was
elected 70 the United States senate in 1918 and is
now serving hsi third term which expires in 1851.
His home is at Helna. Mont1
In the closing days Of the session Of congress com
Ing to an end on March a, 1927. I submitted 70 the
senate q resolution proposing an investigation into
the financing and capitalization Of companies engaged
in the generation and distribution Or electrical energy.
including holding companies. and as we'll as into the ac-
tivitics Of such to influence public opinion or govern
mental action.
The desirability, II not the necessity. Of such an in
quiry was impressed upon me BY d series .cf articles
by Prof. W. z. Ripley Of Harvard. The eminence az
the author as a student Of economies, as well as his
high character, naturally gave seriousness "a his
structures on abuses that prevailed in the utilities in
dustries, and particularly in the financial set-ups Of
the corporations doing business in that field.
Whatever misgivings may have been felt conrerr.
ing the fate or the investigation AZ the hands Of the
federal trade commission have. 80 far as Il hax nro-
ceeded. been altogether dissipated. IL went 10 work
promptly; apparently gave carte blanche 70 ~ eco
monte DIVISION the personnel Of which is Of high char
80 measufaoiy protected by the civil service law
and rules. entrusted the taking or testimony ~ = ~
rs members Altogether, it il safe to say that N SEN
ate committee could never have done the lob in tbs
searching manner In which it has thus far been pros-
ecuted' although perhaps its work would have attracted
ed more widespread attention and been attended With
greater notorietv.
As heretofore indicated, the superiority Of pr;vate
over public ownership Of utilities IL a never-endinv
topic Of discussion in the material thus sent out
muen OF y dealing with the question directly. more
isauing 10 the same end by indirection.
reference has been made to the employment, az
speakers N this gigantic movement 10 enlichten The
puphc. Every opportunity to get a hearing for sueh
= improved. They attend all manner Of conventions
SPEAK before chambers Of commerce. commercial eluh.
iuncneons % the Rotary. Kiwanis or Lions cIub~
"omens clubs and. BY preference apparently. before
schools OF MI grades. from high school up. The New
lorA ana pennsylvania committees succeeded n ret
ting their men OF the Chautauqua circuits. As.in the
ease OF TONS OF literature sent out, much Of what thew
say mas 10 particular political or economic sivnifi-
canoe; at least i has not direct relation to anv eontro-
versiai question in either field-that il. much ~ Il
has real educational value, and more has for its pur-
pose TO promote the wider use Of electrical energy and
thus enhance the business prospects Of the associated
companies offering suchs