THE NATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 
sympathetic hearing to the petitions of such utilities for assistance 
and relief. (Resolution, Sixth Annual Meeting, 1918.) 
RecuraTioN or Pusric UTILITIES 
Regulation of public utilities has developed through its various 
stages until the principle of regulation through a body created by 
the state has been recognized throughout the country as best calcu- 
lated to result in decisions equitable alike to utilities and their 
patrons and to determine the questions of large importance both to 
utilities and their owners and to the public. The advance which 
has thus been made should be maintained. As the source of the 
power of regulation of utilities, each state should exert this power 
through its own agency and should not attempt to delegate it to 
local authorities. Such a course would represent retrogression, and 
its consequences would be detrimental to the best interests of the 
public. (Resolution, Eleventh Annual Meeting, 1923.) 
RECLAMATION OF WASTE LAND 
The United States has great potential resources in arid, swamp, 
and cutover lands which in their present condition are not suitable 
for immediate utilization. The reclamation of such lands of every 
kind is one of the tasks which the United States should carry out 
under a consistent policy formulated to meet the economic needs 
of the nation. We note with approval that the Board of Directors 
has provided for a representative committee to study the subject in 
all of its phases, and this committee has made such progress that it 
expects soon to bring forward constructive recommendations for a 
comprehensive national policy. (Resolution, Eleventh Annual Meet- 
ing, 1923.) 
SUFFRAGE FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 
Since the seat of government was established in the District of 
Columbia conditions have greately changed and Washington has 
now become a city of large population. It is inconsistent with the 
spirit of American institutions that a large part of this population 
should have no members in the two Houses of Congress, by which 
Te oho Ex-service Men. 
[9v] 
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