The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-16

Gentlemen:
feel that the fate OF this com
mission depends upon the pro
Fram and organization which we
either form and adopt for our.
selves or permit to be formed and
forced upon Us for the coming
year We chose our chairman
last year for term which ex-
pires June 30th. and In filling II
the rule OF rotation according 20
length OF term as used in the
court OF appeals. seems the prop
er thing. All our appointees hold
only ht our pleasure. The first
question to be resolved upon IL.
shall this commission select its
own officers and employees. formu-
iAte us own program and rules.
enforce its own orders. regulate
10 own business. or shall we per-
nit longer that this shall be done
by another. During the past
year our selected chairman has
been overrun and ignored, and the
~ork OF the commission paralyz-
20 and rendered futile by incom-
petent employees forced upon us
ny attempted interference with
cur proceedings. As a body We
dio not seem to be able to unite
and TO stand together against
nose things. The work OF INF.
commission Is very technical and
dinicult. presenting problems
more perplexing and more varied
man those presented to our su.
preme court of appeals. Our or.
GERS must be enforced in the
courts. Prosecutions under the
statutes will be necessary for the
coming year. and the cases must
re presented TO the prosecuting
attorneys OF the several counties
More and more difficult and hotly
contested controversies win arise
ara be tried out before us as A
rooy: We have two lawyers as
members OF this commission. N
10 almost universal practice
among state commissions OF this
character to select q lawyer an
we chairman and the reasons
Tor such a policy are evident.
Some weeks ago I made I'D nv
mind that whom the term of our
present chairman should expire
that ] would support Mr.. Kiimer
Tor the place next year. I be-
heved then that / was persona
non grata TO the Governor. who
mas heretofore dictated that an
pointment. But am now advised
that my own selection as chair
man would not be Objectionable.
&C. This place and every other
appointment should be filled here
after with an eye single to the
public good and the making a sue
cess Of our work.
do not wish to be selected for
. this place by order of the Cover.
nor. l cannot succeed in putting
THIS Commission In an independ-
emit ana respected position in the
public esteem unless I am the in
dependent choice OF this Commits
sion and supported by every mem
Der In this program. and in this
policy and known to be under no
obligations save to my fellow
members for my authority to
speak and act In their behalf. as
their Chairman.
The Chairman Of this Commis-
sion IL fits most diIgent servant.
not IT'S boss. not even the bossee
OF any higher authority.
III / can best serve the Cam
mission as q body. and be more
helpful TO each OF VOC individual
ly IN the office OF Chairman for
next year. ! will accept. IL elected.
and pledge myself 20 carry out a
thoroughly friendly. patriotic. yet
absolutely independent policy.
and IN this way by your votes for
me i shall hold that you are
pledged TO support me Loyalty and
unitedly. | cannot AFFORD TO take
IL ON any other basis and / could
not hope to succeed II I did.
Very truly yours.
(Signed) HOWARD N. OGDEN
have several new, and I think
good plans OF work and methods
which 1 shall be glad to submit
Tor your consideration whenever
you desire to have them, but
would like the opportunity 10 put
them Into effect myself. and 10
initiate plans for others.
Very truly yours.
tSignedD HOWARD n. OGDEN
Miss Lee was stiI on the witnes
ana when the court adjourned 70
Don, the contents Of the letter hav
lg Just been made public.
Afternoon Session.
Ihe AFTERNOON session was resume,
= 2:l5, Miss Lee resumfnR the stand
IN extended effort was made bv al
orney Wen to draw from her eoro
ietements relative to alleged inter
e-ence oy The governor with the put
&c service commission. The witness,
owever. denied emphaticaIlv that ~
rev or any such Interference an,
.osoiutely denied that she knew .
ny or heard OF any discussion OF IN
.hAlrH OF the Manufacturers Light 4
teat company between the Roverno
no members OF the public eervjc
commission. She did know Of the ~,
% or January. known a. sErecuffv
IFder NO. l." 10 which Covernor a.,
.e'd directed that hearing Of the put
p serVice commission should be bel,
y Charleston. and commented unot
BE- delay in the decision OF he go
10 upon the arrangement BY whicl
z advanced rates we're allowed 10 p,
NO enect IN Brooke and Haucocl
oanuea' but che knew Of no othe
yer communications Of any Kind
rom the governor bearing on nj
ahe' ana bad no direct knowfedgo =
~ letters received By the comm.
on rom the governor She was nm
~ me Impression that between Uni,
M December. 1919. one or two iei
'rs had been received b. the con,