The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-07
R0SS INAUGURAL ADDRESS URGES STATE WORK TO AID J0BLESs
Pleads For Partnership As Against Partisanship

amendments to originate with the people themselves. instead of only permitting them to take or reject propositions originated by others not especially chosen for the purpose" Against those who feared that there might be dangerous inherent in this procedure Lincoln's retort was: Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of
 the people? Is there any better or equal hope in the world?" When- ever congress for political reasons
 fails to act on its own initiative, there is always available an applica- ton for Constitutional convention.
 As man of the people. l repeat
 Lincoln's question in altered phrase:
 If we cannot trust the people, what
 in the world can we trust?
 PUBLIC
 UTILITIES
 Of late much criticism has been
 directed against some of the public
 utility companies of the state con-
 corning rates and service. The sub-
 ject of rates, involving particular
 service, is complicated and technical.
 Whether rates are just or unjust can
 be determined only by the most
 careful investigation. At present our
 public utilities commission has in
 adequate Jurisdiction over rates and
 service of light and power com
 panies except on complaint. rec
 ommend that the commission be by
 law empowered to begin proceedings
 upon its own motion where, in its
 discretion, such action is warranted.
 I also recommend that the informa-
 tion ao to rates for light, power. and
 gas in different localities in the state, now available at the Capitol, be pub
 lished in such form as to make the
 knowledge thereof generally known
 to consumers, to the end that, IT
 they feel aggrieved. they may speed lily direct the attention of the com
 mission thereto.
 The public utilities commission likewise has no Jurisdiction over the accounting of so-called public serv- lice corporations, and their issue and
 sale of securities, or their assump- ton of other financial obligations.
 The time, however, has arrived 10 |re-canvass the situation and de- termine afresh whether Tn these two respects we may not profit by the experience of neighboring states
 which have long conferred upon
 their regulatory tribunals the power both to prescribe and to enforce ap-
 propriate methods and systems or |accounting as well as the power over
 the security issues of utility com
 panies. The latter power in particu-
 lar is serviceable in focusing the
 white light of publicity upon matters which are of public as well as or nrivate concern. It acts directly as a deterrent to questionable projects involving capitalization. It strength lens rather than weakens utility credit. It is accepted, as you know. without question in the federal reg ulation of interstate carriers. Along with standardized accounting, con |trol over the issue of securities pro, notes mutual understanding ana wholesome confidence. Accordingiy. I recommend that you consider m all lis aspects the question Of vestlng tha n,lhlic utilities commission with inc bowers I have here described, and that you take proper action dur- ling the present session of the gen. eral assembly.
 OTHER IMPORTANT
 RECOMMENDATIO Not to keep you too long Twill
 ,1w s,mmar rize some other matters
 awaiting consideration. They incluoe an increase of the state fund for ex- service men; the revision or the sta atute carrying a penalty Of tweiVe her cent upon unpaid taxes, so as to substitute just rate or Inter est. the clarification of the statule available to those who through ms fortune are unable to meet thelr taA ohligations: either a repeal or the nersonal tax law or an extension or exemptions so as to include marrleu women; the enactment o! an ao sentee voting law for the oenent oI citizens who cannot be present lo cast their ballots on elecCon oay, a program looking towards a. more liberal policy in connection Witn sne teachers pension fund: the puienaSv
 of Rocky Neck Park TOT n.M
 nnhlic beach; and the advancement nf program for the encouragement of the fish and shell-fish industry III T,ong Island Sound. Still other rec lommendations I reserve TOT conIer ence or a special message. snouio like particularly to comment upon the reports of several commissions:
 committees, and societies. most oi
 which, like those on the water re- sources of Connecticut ana the states institutions, contain very I'm.
 nortant recommendations. None Of these reports is fraught with more interest than "The Second Report or the Judicial Council of Connecticut. All these reports. know, VIII nave vour attention as we'll as mine. l reserve for further consideration the budget prepared by the board Of finance and control. If to approve this budget in all respects would nrudence in expenditures to avoid such a possibility.
 And now. in company With you, dedicate such abilities as I may have to the people of Connecticut for the promotion of their welfare.
 WILBUR LUCIUS CROSS ] Hartford. January z, 1881.