216 rosa: regulation of natural monopolies 



freight. Freights to the amount of two thousand milhons of 

 dollars are annually collected by the railroads on weighings made 

 with scales, most of which are seldom tested and, except in three 

 western states, never officially inspected. Numerous disputes 

 and complaints could be avoided if the scales were officially tested 

 and certified, and if provision were made for retesting on com- 

 plaint. Certainly, it is as important to test large scales as small 

 ones, and the cost of doing so is trifling in comparison with the 

 enormous interests at stake. 



Locomotive headlights. Another subject with which some of 

 the state commissions have dealt is the kind of headlights used on 

 locomotives, their candlepower and reliability. In some states 

 legislation has been enacted requiring a particular kind of head- 

 light. It has been charged that such legislation in some cases 

 has been inspired by commercial interests. In one state the com- 

 mission issued a rule requiring a certain candlepower but not 

 specifying how it was to be measured or exactly what was meant. 

 The railroads, contending that the order was ambiguous, impos- 

 sible to comply with by one interpretation and undesirable by 

 another interpretation, appealed to the courts. After a lengthy 

 and expensive litigation, the order of the commission was set aside. 

 This case is cited to illustrate the need of full technical informa- 

 tion by state commissions before issuing mandatory orders, 

 and also the hardship to railroads or other public utility compan- 

 ies to be obliged to contest in the courts orders that work a hard- 

 ship and which would not have been issued if full information 

 had been at hand. There is great need of further investigation 

 of the subject of headlights for use on steam and electric railways, 

 to determine the best service that different types are capable 

 of giving, and to formulate rules that could be enforced by the 

 commissions. Some railroads economize unduly on the mainte- 

 nance of headlights; in the interest of safety to the public, wise 

 regulations should be in effect. 



Car lighting. The lighting of cars (both steam and electric) 

 is another practical matter that has not received the attention 

 that it deserves. Most people read more or less on trains and 

 street cars, and with many who ride a long distance to and from 



