The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-18


Not Shown.
During the entire i've days not one
word OF evidence was introduced by
them 10 show the Governors interfer-
ence with the commission in the fix
ing OF the gas rates. or the Governor 8
coercion OF the commission In the
cnsideration OF any judicial case. a
large amount OF gossip. OF hearsay
testimony. Of the memories of disap-
pointed ONCE seekers and imported
TALENT nzs presented before the mas
ter TO show that this or that member
OF the commission was irritated; that
the Governor objected to the organi-
zation OF the commission, objected to
particular appointees, or objected 70
direction as to the sittings OF the
commission, but not one word in the
six days had direct bearing upon
the consideration OF the merits OF the
gas company's case.
In the six days the following points
were brought out:
First-That Commissioner ogden
and Commissioner Bronson were both
At various times in extremely strained
relations with the Governor. Commits
sioner ogden, because he objected "a
organization of the commission, and
apparently thought they were unfit
and Incompetent, and hampered the
work of the commission. Also be
cause he seemed 20 think that other
members Of the commission repre-
scented the views of the Governor on
these matters and acted in accordance
with the Governors instructions and
ignored him.
Commissioner Bronson, because he
resented objections made by the Gov
ernor concerning his personal conduct
and associates.
Second-That no commissioner al
any time discussed with the Govern
or the merits OF the gas case OF the
merits OF any other controversy pend
ing before them.
Third. That instead of being con-
trolled BY the governor at the time he
prepared the order in the Manufac-
turers' Light g. Heat case. Commits
sioner Ogden. who conducted this
hearing and prepared this order. was
not then even on intimate terms OF
friendship with the governor.
Ogden Objected.
Fourth That even UP to the day
Of his death. Commissioner ogden en-
tertsined the Idea that the public
service commission was wrongly Or
ganized for efficient work. that he had
been compelled to undertake a large
amount Of personal labor to the injury
Of his health. which he might have
avoided under other circumstances.
and he bitterly resented the sugges-
tions that any Inducements should be
offered him 10 make in public or else
where any statement bearing upon the
work Of the commission. except these
statements which he Rad previously
made 10 a larFe number Of people.
Fifth. The letters demanded By the
attorneys for the gas company and
relied upon By them 10 show interfer-
ence OF coercion by the governor. art -
er having been placed in their hands
were thrown back by them on the at
torneyB n the state. Apparently tho
letters we're not ~ all Of the charac.
ter the attorneys for the Ras com pany
desired 10 nnd. and they refused 20
put them in evidence. after causing Z
the master % rule that they were rel-
evant and should 90 On evidence The
public, therefore. for the time being
II denied the riEht Of seeing these LET
ters. and N they are made public az
All, they viii probably be- made public
through the attorneys Of the state.
hi1th. Every word n evidence Of
fered as 70 conversations with the
late COMMISSIONS Ogden, as 10 the
letter alleged 20 have been written
y him. but not sent and as 20 ell
other matters uf the same character.
was objected 20 by the state on the
ground of its utter inrompetency as
evidence and irrelevancy even n Il
were evidence
This n general outline Of the en-
Tire proceedlnga Up 20 date. COVERING
practically al the proRrrss made.
Yesterdsy's Hearings
in the hearing YESTERDAY the most
important fact was the refusal ~ the
attorneys for tho gas company to
place IN evidence, The letters which