The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-05-23
WOMEN VOTERS GAN REGISTER F THE
 AMENDMENT WINS
Legislature Will Probably Consider Subject, How ever, At Approaching
 Session
By FRED H. GORMLEY
 Montgomery Bureau The Age Herald
 22l.2 First National Bank Building


 Montgomery, May 22.-(Special)- )-lf the Susan B. Anthony amendment is ratified by thirty-six states before September g. the women of Alabama may qualify as voters without further legislation ana without the need of any action of the legislature in extraordinary session il those who contend that no amendment to the state constitution is necessary pc correct.
 Much agitation was carried on preced- tions on all matters involving charges and service within the state.
 Charles E. Mccall, chief examiner of public accounts, in his recent report to Governor Kilby said the commission did not have the funds with which to do the work contemplated by the law. The com mission has an appropriation of $5,O0O a year for expert help and $1,0O0 year TOT incidental office expenses, and when these funds are exhausted no further funds are available until the next year Consequently, much work must be Ielt undone Few people know that the mem bers of the commission are required to visit each county seat one time each year, but absolutely no provision is made for the payment of the expenses of these visits The commissioners have railroad passes but are forced to pay their oWh hotel and other travelling expenses.
 One feature which is sure to be ln- cluded in the measure will require all members of the commission to reside III Montgomery and to devote their time to the work of the commission Some dis cussion has been made of the creation or an ex-officio commission composed of two state officials already in office ana one chairman of the public service com mission who would receive salary sui ficient to require him to give his entire time and attention to the work.
 | It is doubtful that the legislature would enact a law providing for an ex-o11icio commission because it has always been the public policy to permit a person elected to office to complete his term. l Even if an ex-offico board should be created it probably would not take otfice | until the expiration of the terms of the commissioners already elected.
 | One matter sure to receive attention IS 1 that of measuring the service rendered l by public service corporations. For IT, stance, during the past year many com l plants have come to the commlssioh | that certain gas companies were not fur nishing the quality of gas called for by their charters The commission has been 1 unab ble to obtain the services of experts l in measuring and determining the quai- | ity of gas because of the lack Of rue 1 and has been forced to obtain aSslstanSe from the bureau of standards at Wash ington. If the commission had the 1uilpS it could make investigations which wouio
 result in better service without delay
 Alabamas public service commission Il now among the most important boards II the state and it is proposed that 1t sha
 be given the power to maintain th standard of service and the funds wlti
 which to enforce it's orders. The legls llature last year was disposed to proViu better facilities for the functioning or tn
 commission. but a bill could not b Iagreed upon in the short time remain ling after the passage of the revenue law