Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-15

Clifford Pinchot again becomes a sub
ject Of national discussion, as q result
OF his demand for public control OF
utilities, in q Speech at the conference
Of Governors. 1t Is assumed that he
Is making o bid for the Republican
presidential nomination. Discussion
centers around questions rs TO the cor
ton In the utilities world and as to his
strength as a candidate. Many assume
that he would have some Progressive
support. ,., a.. ,..,,. -.m a.
ure in next years campaign" accord
ing to the Kalamazoo Gazette, lis
question which cannot be answered
now, vet there are some sage students
of politics who expect that 1t will push
the old and familiar prohibition con-
troversy far into the background. With
Gov. Franklin Roosevelt Leading the
field of Democratic possibilities 1t Is
perhaps natural that the liberal-inSur-
gent Republicans should be anxious to
md some candidate with similar ideas
about power who can wear their own
party label Certainly Mr.. Pinchot can
not be accused Of any puSsyfooting on
this pct topic of his"
mr.. Pinchot'S demand fer stricter
control Of public utilities" in the opin-
course, worthy Of examination on its
merits, regardless Of his personal politi-
cal ambitions, and 1t will be so ex-
amined." That paper, however, con-
cludes that he must buttreSS his ideas
with more convincing testimony If he
Is to rally any considerable proportion
Of the American people round his White
House standard" The Newark Evening
News offers the judgment: "All he says
about the rapacity. domination and bad
acting of the power companies can be
admitted, and still the question re.
mains of how they can be regulated
80 as to attain Mr.. Pincho:S ideal OF
fair play to them and to the public"
Referring to the Progressive policy
Of public ownership OF certain phases
Of the power business, especially the
water-power sites and generation proc.
esses," the st. Paul Pioneer Press ADDS,
whether the profits Of such operation
would be so great for the public as
Gov. Pinchot thinks Is another matter,
but New York's ventures in that direc-
ton. now in the beginning stages. wiz
deserve interested attention."
The San Francisco Chronicle remarks:
".Power' is the CURRENT shibboleth OF
the insurgents. Just what it means is
Q mysterious secret. But the test OF
zeal Is the ability to pronounce the word
power with the approved degree OF
emotion and the proper information,
Gov. Pinchot can say 1t with Is
much feeling as the next"
"From the Democratic point Of view
Pinchot's activity Is all to the good,
states the Charleston Is. CO Evening
Post. which offers the estimate OF the
effect on Republican affairs: 1T Is al
AAS.Hm hmk ptyAnI0f ran sTNllNfAT
Suficient strength to overcome Hoover
In the national convention. But he can
stir q very considerable revolt in the
party ranks and make for an unhappy
situation in q convention which should
be enthusiastic for the President whom
1t cannot avoid renominating. what
Roosevelt could not do In 1912 1t Is un-
likely that Pinchot can DO IN 1881.
In more favorable tones, the Cleveland
Plain Dealer asserts: This Is an eco
nomic and social problem which cuts
across party lines. 1t is like prohibition
Weasel words in well sounding platform
blanks will not settle 1t. The voice OF
p,nchot CRYING In a wilderness Of i'm
potent utility regulation viii be heard"
The Scranton Times concludes as 20
the result Of the raising Of the ques-
ton: "Mr. Pinchot took direct issue
with those who contend that regulating
utilities is purely q State matter. BY
advocating Federal control Of utilities
Gov. Pinchot naturally puts himself IN
the position of being champion OF that
method and consequently available Tor
drsYt IN the event that his party should
take his view that power Is the dominant
issue"
more and more" argues the Wheel
iEsg Inteliigencer, municipalities are
building and operating THAR own power
and light Notwithstanding the les
son that Canada teaches. There, pub
Hcly owned and operated electric plants
give services TO consumers at from one.
tenth to one-haf Of the cost OF the same
service In the United States, and pay
ali operating expenses, retire their bonds