The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-04-16
ASPECT MORE
SINISTER
Than The SpOiIatiOn Of
Public Service
Is Demand For Resignation
Of Commissioners,
CIeverIy Masked Raid On The
Public Utilities
Who Seek Advantage At
Expense Of The People

OOiuHOuS, W., April lo-lne actlOn
of Governor Frank B. Willis in de-
manding the designations of members
of five public administration commits.
,sions has an aspect more sinister than
the mere spoilation of public service.
In his action Is seen cleverly masked
raid on the Public Utilities commits
sion at the behest of the privately
owned public utilities of the state. 1t
lis q known fact that Governor Willis
has been trying to avoid general pat
ronage squabble into which his demand
now casts him, but he had to yield to
the pressure that was brought to bear
: upon him. His connection with those
who exploit the public in service cor
Z poratiOns was evidenced early in his
administration by the influx of those
: who represent the privately-owned pub
lie utilities. In the legislature, which
1t was promised should be free from
executive interference, bills for the
regulation OF public-owned utilities, ev-
en- TO the point of obstructing their
work, began to make their appearance.
Bills there were also IN behalf of the
privately-owned companies Signillc-
ance of the direction was given in the
seeming righiofway the privately own.
ed utilities were given in the legisla
ture, and the ease with which hearings
were gained for any measure that
might tend to cripple the rights of the
people OF cities to control the fran
chises which they might issue. or to
curb advancement of certain interests
under unhindered municipal owner.
ship.
free rein given to the lobbyists, reg
istered and unregistered in their on
slaughts on the members of the legis.
of Governor Willis to their work until
ri became II statewide scandal, gives
further proof of the way the admins
'tration has swung.
The public utilities commission is
the one barrier between the people and
the privately owned utilities under an
administration which was elected OBJ
viously to play the game" Early ex-
pOsure OF the plans TO permit u raid on
the public utilities commission. and
the suspicion that a deal had been
made to turn this commission over to
certain political manipulators and
statesmen for revenue only, made Il
impossible 10 proceed In direct line.
The general attack Is intended to hide
The real purpose, while al the same
time II delights the heart of the parti.
San executive, With the hosts of la
Dor and the organized manufacturers
protesting against any change In the
administration OF the workmen's com
penHation law, the governor can grace.
fully withdraw his request for resig.
nations there, The agricultural com,
mission is already ripped vide open
Z and the commissioners viii be legis-
lated out Of Office IN ninet. days. The
civil service commission In even now
passing over the Styn, and the liquor
license decentrali2er Is now up for
vconsideration there IL left only the
public utilities commission which WI
lis dares not assail in the open and
this general play for designations Is
TO get control Of that body
The people OF Ohio are hut little con
ccrned about the political makeup of
the administrative boards but they
have right TO know what IL meant
By the palpable attempt to Illegally
gain control OF board organized for
their protection against wrongs by
those who under the law enjoy special
privileges.
~--o--
There was nothing IN the last elec.
tion which gave the governor control
-..1f the civil service nor has there been