Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17

II
son Co., the local electric public
utility in the metropolis, an
Il nounced reduction in rate from
7 cents to cents, the aggregate
reduction being 1896 900.
About the reduction in electric rates
some controversy arose, because for GER
tain classes of consumers it was accom-
panied by announcement of a meter
charge" and there arose discussion
about the relative benefit to the public
as between large consumers and small
consumers.
About that New York controversy this
article does not aim to say anything,
because the writer knows nothing. The
aim of the present article is confined to
discussing the bearing of this action
on national politics.
What the New York Edison Co. has
done locally in the metropolis, other
companies all over the country will do
shortly I do not know whether the
reductions in other communities will
be greater or less than the reduction in
New York City. do not know whether
the reductions will be made voluntarily
as the New York Edison Co. has made
it or whether they will come about
through action by the local public
utility commissions or other action IN
the courts.
I do know that everywhere, almost
without exception, the reductions will
take place.
If there are exceptions to the general
reduction of rates, the exceptions are
likely to be cities having municipal
ownership. Also, in some cities rates
may be fixed in the charter or by con-
tract. Also, few public utilities may
have made reductions already in the
recent past. Yet again, street railways,
due to competition from automobiles,
are not, as a rule, in any condition to
reduce rates.
Dollar Change Brings Price Changes.
My knowledge that rate reductions
similar to the New York one will take
place generally throughout the coun-
try is not based on any acquaintance
with the plans of public utilities. 1t is
based merely on certainty that a
change in the purchasing value OF the
dollar always results in or is accom-
panied by a roughly corresponding
change in the prices of commodities,
including the price of electric service.
It works as infallibly as water seeking
its own level.
With equal certainty I know that a
change in the purchasing value OF the
dollar has certain political consequences.
The most general question in national
politics is rates charged by public utili-
ties. The question is national only par
TALLY in the sense that it has anything
to do with the politics that centers al
Washington or with the Federal Gov
eminent. Rates charged by public uttli-
ties is the most general question ir
national politics in the sense that it L
acute in the largest number of States
| The aggregate of these State and loca
political discussions of public utilities
amounts to larger quantity of politi'
cal controversy than is provided by an!
other one queStion-tariff, farm relief
or what not.
Oregon i;ample Cited.
Because the question is localized ir
| the States and communities, each with
| its separate phase, the country as q
whole fails to know the extent of it. Tt
cite but one example, they little know
outside the State in which it hap
pened 1t is startling to learn that in
| Oregon last May 16 the Republican
nomination for Governor was won by q
man, George w. Joseph Che died soor
after the primary, whose platform was
for government, State or municipal de-
velopment of our water power resources
and abolition of the Public Service
Commission, thereby relieving the peo-
pie of any obligation guaranteeing any
return to the utilities
| In similar form, or in other forms
| frequently in the shape of proposals fol
public ownership and operation, the
public utility question is to the FROM
in State after State-Nebraska, New
York State, Maine; in Pennsylvania
Gov. Pinchot as a candidate for re-
election is agitating it; Nevada, New
Hampshire, several Southern States