The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-03-15

maze 10 the Dig interests IN campaign
time caused them to save the expense
of many lobbyists until the legislative
jam, which occurred near the terms
end. They're here now, good, bad and
worse. The big Buzzard" is on hand.
but his partner, Little Buzzard."
stayed in the Western Reserve. A
large majority of all lobbyists are
men representing legitimate business
here to show Legislators the good or
i'll effect certain bills have upon manu-
facture, trade, public utilities or
classes of citizens. They are the most
important sources of information for
members. 1t is unfortunate, indeed,
that corrupt promoters of overselfish
interests have given the class an un-
desirable reputation by Illegal acts.
Ripping Public Utilities.
The chairman of the public utilities
commission, Mr.. Beecher w. Walter
mire, when asked if the work of that
body made desirable an increase in its
membership from three to FIVE, as
provided in a bill now in the general
assembly said:
LAS general proposition | do not
care to comment on matters of that
kind, but since you ask me the queS-
ton, | am frank to say 1t is not neces-
sary. True, the work of the commits
sion is very Onerous at this time. We
have been appraising the big utility
properties of the big cities for rate
making purposes during the past two
years, but these are about completed,
and they represent, in value, nearly
one-half of the utility property of the
state. Many of the larger utilities of
the smaller cities and towns have
also been appraised, and | think there
will soon be a falling off in that re.
spect. But we have recently fixed
rates for service for some utilities, and
are soon to announce others. | think
this will have a tendency to enable
many utilities and the communities
which they serve to get together and
adjust their own differences.
Fair Rates Determined.
Fixing rates on the basis of the
value of the property, the value of the
service, and the kind of service rem
dered is of comparatively recent date.
1t has been only short time since
such matters were adjusted purely on
the basis of what the one party would
take, and what the other would give;
neither taking the time or incurring
the expense of going into such de-
tails as would enable them to know
whether or not the rates agreed upon
We're fair to both parties. 1t was large
ly haphazard guess.
II take it that the average man is
fair and willing TO do the right thing
when he knows what is right and rea-
Sonable. So long as no utilities were
appraised, and no rates fixed on
basis of full knowledge OF the facts,
there was always doubt in the minds
of the public as to whether or not
they were being imposed upon. |
think the fixing of a few rates will
greatly relieve the work of the com
mission. However, there will always
be plenty to do to keep the commits
sioners out of mischief"
Then you do not favor changing
the number of commissioners?
mo. Time may reveal that it would
be wise to make some change, but the
experiment is too young yet to indi-
cate that there is any necessity of
either diminishing or enlarging the
commission"
AS to Election Legislation.
The elections bill, which was called
an administration measure, is to be-
come five hundred times 126 pages
of fine junk. It's author the other
day substituted a joint resolution pro
viding for a commission to codify
elections laws and report not later
than Dec. 81, 1917. Much of his bill
was patchwork, which did not blend
in color with the garment upon which
it was used.
Ohio's election laws are known to
be in very bad shape through doubts
and disputes arising during their en-
forcement. In the legislature two
years ago the matter of codifying the
election laws was taken up, but when
John II. Orgill, the expert of the
Cleveland board of elections, produced
a copy of the law in which l26 errors
were marked as needing remedy, the
committee heSitated and subsequent
ly got chilblains.
The Highway Department Ripped.
The third bill for the reorganiZing
of the highway department was passed
by both houses. The first one intro
duced, that by Mr.. Bliss, made the
membership of advisory board three.
The one passed makes it four. equal
ly divided as to politics. 1t provides
for the use of prisonmade brick so
far as they will go. This will empty
the idle house into the plant to the
advantage of all concerned.
More Jobs at Better Pay.
Republican Floor Leader Reighard
on the floor of the house recently,
denounced Democrats for pushing
the pie counter" to the front in the
final days of the session. to the exclu-
sion of important legislation.
Consideration of the Kilbane bill, to
establish board of Clemency, of two
members salaried at $500 each, with
power to retain such clerks, assist
ants and stenographers as they may
deem necessary" prompted Reighard's
attack. The bill passed, 7S to AS
N~-NNNS~S~Aos~GNN~.~INs~
Mattress Bank Disappears.
Salem. - Because John Longu, Rou.
manian laborer here, and his mother,
almost 100, feared burglars and dis