The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-04-19

COMMISSION
HEAD IS OUT
f federaI Control Causes W.
D, Humphrey to Resign
USEFULNESS GONE, SAYS
Governor Has Not Indicated
Acceptance Of Resignation

As a protest against the
OF the state corpora
ton commission through OPP
GRAFTON of federal control OF
public utilities, and in order
to be in position to combat the
insane idea government Op-
GRAFTON of railroads. tele-
phones, telegraph and other
public service corporations,
w. D. Humphrey this morn
ing rendered Governor Rob-
ertson his resignation as
chairman of the Oklahoma
corporation commission.
Il consider tina, no serious objection
should be raised TO ,hS avoidance OF
a service that is no longer susceptible
to satisfactory performance" SAYS
Humphrey in outlining TO the gover-
nor his reasons for voluntarily giving
up his office, which was one OF the
highest IN the state IN importance and
remuneration
State Power Gone,
The things which the commission
was empo' cred TO do by virtue OF tho
constitution and laws OF the state at
the time Of his election, Humphrey
asserts have been - "ciIeumserlbed
az 10 become anos, wholly unsvail-
able asa result OF federal control OF
utilities. which has virtually stripped
the state Of all power and authority
for their regulation and control.
I'm my opinion" says Humphrey 10
the governor, The greatest seJyice one
can render his country at this time is
20 combat the insane agitation for gov
ernmen, ownership and control OF our
public utilities. This car be more
frankly done without the handicap of
state office -,
No Successor Appointed.
First comment on the resignation
around the ca.itol was tha, because OF
The condition, 50 iorcbly pointed out
by Hurphrcy the governor may with
hold the appointment OF his successor
until the usefulness Of the commission
Is restored by the termination, or mod
lfication OF government control.
Humphreys home is a Nowata. He
probably viii return to that place to
resume the practice Of law. His serv-
ices on the commission are now at the
disposal Of the governor. Humphrey
was appointed on the commission by
Governor Williams 20 succeed A. p.
Watson, who was lmpeachci, and was
elected two Years ago for six year
tenn. leaving tour years Of HI, term
IneNrirci
In h.s l"'rr lo the governor trlus.
mIlllng hD ignation, Humphrey
state
Reasons For Quitting.
Incident 10 this act it appears
fitting tina, | should say something
in justification OF the same as il
might be, IN a sense. a disappoint- :
men, to the public to the extent that
people teel that one elected to oiiiee
should render the full measure OF
ser,ic, comprised by his term.
AT the general election in 1916 |
wa. commissioned BY the public to
serve period OF four years and 10
the orderly course OF events should
be expected TO render the service |
was elected to perform; hence take
this step not without reluctance and
only after mature deliberation. In
justification Of my act ! submi, the
following facts:
when ! was elected we all knew
the needs and opportunities for serv-
ice involved in the office a, admin
istered under the constitution and
laws OF the state The constitution
OF the state directly vests the COM
mission with jurisdiction over trans
portaiion and transmission compan-
les only The things Of general i'm %
portance real accomplishments
OF the commission on behalf OF tho
public have arisen under this au-
,hority which in reeen, times, by vir-
tue OF thing. unseen At the general
election Of 1916, has been so eircum-
,cribed as TO become almost wholly
unavailable. consider that no &C..
rious objection should be raised 10
the avoidance OF a service iha, is no
longer susceptible Of satisfactory
performance.
Results Unsatisfactory.
There are matters pertaining 10
other utilities. Of great importance,