South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-01-23
GOODRICH ANDLEE KNOWLEDGE OF
STATE Utility LAW

STATE UTILITY LAW.
II was only the expected that happened yesterday
when Gov James Putnam Goodrich carried out the
wishes Of the Indianapolis News by sustaining the
charges OF Bernard OConnor against Edwin NJ Lee and
directed his member of the public service
commission with this on its chest the will
doubt be strut about in its colossal egotism
boastnz more power than ever and Bernard O'Connor
News discovered democrat will perhaps out from
his hidIng,-in which he has kept himself since the
Lee hearing began. appearing only by counsel
And to digress for moment. republican Indian
apolls newspapers continue calling O'Connor a demo-
crat in big type despite the fact that OConnor was
one Of the enthusiastic applauders of Jeremiah j.
oIeary,s open statement of: Thank God, am a
publican"
But this is not half so important the light that
il throws upon or brings 10 view with reference TO
Goodrich The charges against Mr. Lee have been.
first he Incompetent and second that he is q
democrat which be taken of every
body who couldn't support Hughes Goodrich. Watson
and New in the recent campaign-outside in. the
OLeary class-and that they cannot be trusted.
The incompetency charge is equally interesting.
During the recent Lee hearing the attorneys for
Goodrich republican indianapolis newspapers made
emphatic reference the fact not acquainted
with all provisions the public utilities law three
weeks after his appointment So now, many persons
law in 1919 and did he willingly permit his company,
the Union Heat Light and Power CO. of Union City,
notify that the price for natural gas
supplied by the company would be increased in April
of 1913. s11O for each 1000 cubic feet.
The utility law reads:
The rates tolls and charges shall
coed without the consent of the commission,
rates, tolls charges in force Jan 1.
1913"
And Theodore shockney, attorney for Union City,
stated in an aHdavit to that the COM
pany charged only fifty cents for each 1000 cubic feet
l. 1913. lie charged the Goodrich concern
openly violated the utility law lie consumer OF
gas supplied by the company. lie began fight
the increase proposed stated 10y the Goodrich con-
he necessary. And with commission, not
controlled by governor who owned stock in the utility
itself shoekney succeeded in convincing the commits
sion the reasonable and just price for was fty-sX
for each 1000 feet.
When the case was called FOR trial before the com
mission, James p Goodrich the aP-
peared stakeholder witness Of the attorneys and
officer for the Union Heat Light & Power CO.
At the time this case was called for trial obtained
practically consideration outside Union City and
Winchester because only those
cities because that time not thought a man
owning utilities would the temerity to be
would appoint the members of the public service com
mission govern the matter of such were
referred in the prOtes: of Theodore Shockney But
since Gov Goodrich assumed the chair of governor
and began his administration by showing his power
over the commission. the Union Heat Light Power
brought consideration by entire
state
VIII H. Robbins attorney, appeared one of the
attorneys for the company in that The same
Robbins appeared the prosecuting attorney foI
Goodrich pretensively OConnor in the endeavoI
Goodrich Lee the public service
commission.
With Lees removal and the retirement of Thomas
Duncan in May along with the retirement of James L
Clark and the opportunity for Goodrich appoint
successors to Lee. Duncan and Clark, the question
arises what viii become of arbitrary demands
Union Heat. Light < Power Co for increases in the
price of gas $1.1O for each 900 cubic wher
the commission really finds a reasonable and JUS
charge would only be sc cents for each 1000 cubi,
feet
And the Union Heat. Light 4 Power CO. is only one
of the Goodrich utility interests may perhaps b
beneftted by the governor having a over the
commission