Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-16
4
1870
TEXAS TOPICS
BY the Political Analyst

N -
grieved over its natural gas or
electric light and power rates from
public utilities have been invited by
Atty. Gen. James v. Alfred TO join
with him In a fight which he an
nounced he VIII make to force down
the general level Of the utility
charges.
The time has come, he said. for
the gas and electric service rates
TO be lowered in keeping with the
decline OF other commodities. and
in proportion to the costs Of the
companies.
Instead, the companies are In
sisting on collecting a return OF
inflated valuations, he said.
He is ready to 60 10 the courts
with 1t. Here was what he told
Grady Ship. Plainview.
The taSkr-of whipping down
the utility rates-"is a great n
and requires concerted action on
tae part Of all state and local au-
thorities.
1T is my belief that II the local
voilic.als OF all the cities served by
each OF the utilities will join hands
and pool their resources in unified
effort TO reduce rates, 1t can be
accomplished.
las attorney general OF Texas. /
stand ready 70 espouse your cause
in accomplishing this object. IL Is
an inherent function OF the office
10 protect the public through the
courts when they are injured or
have a cause of action"
First, the combative attorney
general began his fight to put the
public service people out Of the
retail merchandising field, charg-
ing the getting monopoly control
where they had no right at all.
Then he followed up with this
broadside. Here is some more Of
his Official message to the Plains
city that is compb in ng OF its
rates:
II have come to the conclusion
there should be a general reduction
OF rates throughout the entire state
in gas, electricity and all public
utility services. The rates they
charge are based on property values
established during a period Of in
flation and great prosperity. 1t
seems unfair and unjust for them
to demand and collect rats which
will Weld what they term a fair
return upon such inflated and fic-
titious values. The public utilities
are going TO have TO get down on
the same level with all other bust
ness and industries. I have been
making a survey OF rates and costs
When this is completed I have
determined TO take appropriate &C
ton, in the courts II necessary, TO
prevent discrimination between the
cities and towns OF Texas, as well
as between this and other states.
and TO effect a general scaling down
OF utility charges
So much. in these two counts.
Nor public utilities. But that Is only
the start OF the attorney generals
announced program.
Trust-busting. anti-price-tiXing.
anti-monopoly in oil and gasoline
Is another field which he has tack
led, and tackled with the approba-
ton of Gov. Ross r. Sterling and
the backing of the Texas legisla-
ture.
F~ee-plugging BY public officials.
from justices OF the peace on up.
fee extortions. illegal claims and
expense accounts, have the same
attorney general and his depart
ment vigorously at work. In o
operation with a senate committee.
Gas waste in the production OF
oil Oh state lands; attempted claims
of railroads TO rights OF way on
which they were given public ease
ment only, have the vigorous at
tention of the attorney general.
Numerous so-called insurance as
sociations and insurance firms OPP
Grating without what he considered
adequate reserves have met with
court action on the part OF Atty.
Gen. Alfred. or threatened with It..
The attorney general has been
holding courts OF inquiry in the oil
monopoly investigation. He also has
been holding similar courts and
taking sworn testimony in claims
that there exist determinations
and price-fixing in the operation
OF the creamery business in certain
cities Of the state.
What an appalling maS OF work
this is can be imagined. when 1t
Is realized that all the investiga-
tons go up against hostile. and
usually well-lawyered business or
CARNATIONS. and when the state.
TO avoid doing its legitimate bust
ness interests injury. and 10 protect
the good name OF its business. |
rightfully conducted, cannot afford
10 make mistakes.