Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-16

800
TEXAS TOPICS
BY the Political Analyst

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grieved over It's natural gas or
electric light and power rates from
public utilities have been invited by
Atty. Gen. James ". Alfred TO join
with him in a fight which he an
nounced he Will 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 70 the costs OF the
companies.
Instead, the companies are in
sisting on collecting a return OF
inflated valuations, he said.
He Is ready TO 90 TO the courts
with it. Here was what he told
Grady Ship, Pla!nview:
The task"-of whipping down
the utility rates-'is a great one
and requires concerted action on
the part of all state and local au-
thorities.
lit Is my belief that II the local
Gkic.als of all the cities served by
each of the utilities will join hands
and pool their resources in unified
effort 70 reduce rates, 1t can De
accomplished.
LAS attorney general OF Texas. i
stand ready TO espouse your cause
in accomplishing this object. II Is
an inherent function Of the office
to 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 10 the Plains
city that Is comp.b hing of its
rates:
Il 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
flat1on and great prosperity. 1t
seems unfair and unjust for them
10 demand and collect rats which
win yield 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 / have
determined TO take appropriate &C
ton. in the courts II necessary. 70
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.
FIR public utilities. But that Is only
the start of the attorney generals
announced program.
TruSt-buSting. anti-price-fixing,
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.
Fee-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 CO.
operation with a senate committee.
Gas waste In the production Of
oil on state lands: attempted claims
of railroads 20 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 II.
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 mass OF work
this is can be imagined, when 1t
Is realized that all the investiga-
tions go up against hostile. and
usually well-lawyered business or
g~anizations, and when the state,
to avoid doing its legitimate bust
ness interests injury. and to protect
the good name OF It's business.
ri2htfully conducted. cannot afford
sOi make mistakes.