ITEMS OF INTEREST January 23, 1909 Issue

ITEMS OF INTEREST

The commission on public service corporations appointed by the Connecticut General Assembly of 1907 reports that it would be desirable to vest in a permanent public utilities commission these powers and duties: To grant franchises to public service corporations; to supervise the condemnation of land and construction of fixtures by these corporations in so far as the same affects the public safety or interest; to supervise the capitalization of these corporations; to ascertain the facts relating to the financial condition of these corporations; the physical condition of their plants and equipments, and the cause of accidents resulting from their operation; to supervise their operation in so far as the same substantially affects the public safety; to fix the rates chargeable when existing rates are unreasonable.

A bill has been filed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives providing that, in any city or town accepting the act, party lines shall be forbidden in municipal elections. The bill provides for a preliminary election for nominations, candidates for nominations being required to file papers ten days in advance of the preliminary election, with twenty-five signers for each ward.

Secretary of State Root and Ambassador Bryce of Great Britain have signed a treaty for the settlement of all international differences between the United States and Canada. The agreement has been popularly alluded to as the "Waterways treaty," but its scope is much broader. Provision is made for a joint high commission, to be made permanent in character.

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