Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-06-17

BY FELIX r. BRUNER.
The fact that the public appar-
entity takes very little interest IN
public utility cases until after rates
have been increased has often been
commented on both by members OF
the public service commission and
by others interested In utility prob
lens.
It has been a noticeable fact that
when cases are brought before the
commission for rate increases in In
dianapolis no one but representa-
tives of the city legal department
appears to oppose them, although
often quite general complaints re-
suit from the action Of the commits
sion in raising rates.
Some Of this may be due to the fact
that the public does not know its rights
In the matter. Any one is privileged to
60 before the commission In rate cases If
he believes he has q just complaint con-
cerning service, or If he has reason to
believe the rates should not be increased
and give his reasons. As it is, utilities
go before the commission with elabo-
rately prepared cases and present them
In detail The commission gets only the
point Of view Of the utility and that of
the city attorney, but has no very accu-
rate way Of judging public sentiment or
OF obtaining facts which may be IN the
possession OF individual citizens If the
citizens themselves do not present them
PROCEDURE FOR
COMPLAINT SIMPLE.
The public also has recourse against
rates It believes to be unfair. Although
many complaints have been heard this
recourse IS resOrted to infrequently, pos
sibIy due to ignorance Of what can be
done.
For instance, If there is a feeling that
gas rates in Indianapolis are unfair be-
cause OF the fact that the Citizens Gas
Company is continually investing in coke
which it refuses TO sell except at a high
price, ten citizens could file with the
public service commission a petition set
ting ont these facts and asking for lower
rates. The commission must under such
circumstances hold a hearing and wit
nesses to present the facts can be called
to testify st such hearing.
The provisions Of the law for such ac-
ton are as follows:
Upon a complaint made against any
public utility by any mercantile, agri-
cultural or manufacturing society or by
any body polite or municipal organ'za-
ton OF by ten persons, firms, corpora
tons or associations, or ten complainants
Of all or any of the aforementioned
classes, or By any public utility, that
any of the rates. tolls, charges or sched-
uIes-or any joint rate Of rates in which
such petitioner IS directly interested are
IN any respect unreasonable or untustly
discriminatory, OF that any regulation.
measurement, practice ~ act whatsoever
relating to the ser.ice OF any public util-
fly CT any service IN connection there
with is in any respect unrea sonable, IN
safe, insufficient or unjustly discriml-
natory or that any service is Inadequate
or can not be obtained, the commission
shall proceed, with or without notice, to
make such investigation as II may deem
necessary or convenient But no order
affecting said rates, tolls, charges,
schedules. regulations, measurements,
practice or set complained Of, shall be
entered by the commission without q
formal public hearing
''The commission shall, prior to such
formal hearing, notify the utility com
planned of that a complaint has been
made and ten days after such notice
has been given the commission may pro
ceed to set a time and 4 place for a
hearing and an investigation as herein
after provided.
"The commission shall give the public
utility and the complainant, If any, ten
days notice Of the time and place when
and where such hearing and investiga-
ton viii be held and such matters con-
sidered and determined. Both the pub
lie utility and complainant shall be en-
titled to be heard and shall have process
to enforce the attendance Of witnesses"