The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-08-30
RUSSELL SCORES
THE GOVERNOR
Says Executive Bows the
Knee to Bell
Company
BREACH IS WIDENED
Impossible for Public Utili-
ties to Function Under
Robertson's Plan

'N Nishii'hA III 7 aug. &Us-
The factionalsm in the state admin
istration received now impetus when
Campbell Russell gave TO the press
today copy Of a letter which he had
forwarded Governor Robertson in
answer TO the executives recent
speech wherein he criticised the cor
poration commission. Of which body
Russell is a member.
The Russell letter, which has set
statchouse officials chattcrinr like
the inmates OF madhOusc, in part
follows:
II Your communication Of the 24th
inst. direct to Chairman Walker ana
which was so cupiously quoted from
and commented upon In the morn
Ing papers, has been brought to my
attention.
This commission properly appre-
/ ciates your earnest solicitude in be-
hall Qf tho public. | note you say:
Il might so on In detail. scores,
and even hundreds OF thlnRs,-that
would add 20 tho general comfort OF
the people that are daily denied
them for no good or apparent rea-
I agree with you that until few
OF the main points In your communl-
cation have been properly consid-
cred II would be inopportune to ex-
tend this complaint to reach the
hundreds Of things referred to-
noto with interest whcre you say,
touching railroad rates:
| would recommend
strongly that no Increase whatsoever
" allowed, on the contrary would
suggest the reduction Of passenger
rates to two. or two and a quarter
cents per mile, and a reduction on
all freight rates accordingly"
This suggestion upon your part has
been considered by the commission.
1t sounds good II'--but tho commis-
sion hesitates TO follow this sugges-
ton for the reasons:
First. We doubt our authority 70
reduce passenger fares TO two
cents, or two and quarter cents per
mile and freight rates accordingly;"
Second. Were we able TO effective
ly enforce the rates above sug-
gested, we are not convinced tha the
railroads would thereby he enabled
TO provide the additional equipment
so urgently needed, and TO other
wise strengthen their service no as TO
meet the requirements Of the public
no one of the commissioners can
recall any instance in which n horse
was induced TO pull a greater load
by reducing an already insufficient
ration. Until our faith can be
strengthened upon these two points
we will hesitate to follow this sug-
gestion.
note with reference to the gas
companies you say: 3
Recent Inquiries have convinced
me that they are in no better condi-
tion for the coming winter. but on
the contrary they are not as well
equipped, nor in as good position to
supply the demands as they were
last year. Notwithstanding this fact
they are still advertising and offer
ing adequate service to all custom
era ""
The first part Of your statement
Is unquestiona correct. The re-
port Of c. G. Osbon. formerly mem
ber Of the United States Geolog cal
survey, shows that the production OF
Oklahoma gas reached its peak in
1917, amounting to 137,3S4,OOO,0 900
feet 1926, 100000 Of which was
piped to consumers without the state
OF Oklahoma. 1918 production in
Oklahoma was l2f,3l7,O00,O 900 feet.
1865 600, 900 OF which went ia con-
sumers without the state. 1919 pro-
uuCllon was only | ltUOV,OOu,OOO teet,
or a reduction Of more than 10000
100000 feet within two years The
demands from both without and
within the state OF Oklahoma have
been steadily increasing. so You are
certainly correct IN saying that the
companies are not In as good posi-
tion TO supply tho demands as they
Tvre last year.
| As to the latter part OF your state
&ent: They are still advertising
and offering adequate service to all
customers" That is information
that we did not have. and which VIC
have not been able to verify. Prac-
tically all gas company advertise
mentg that / have seen for months
past havc been urging consumers TO
prepare other fuel to supplement tho
gas supply, which would inevitably
be Insufficient.
We viii greatly appreciate copies
Of the advertisements referred TO by
you, or information as to where same
may be secured
/ note I'm conclusion you say.
80 Unless such service can
be given, that steps be taken imme- |
diately to cancel tho charter and |
franchises OF said concerns, or put !