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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