The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-03-01
ELECTION LAW Is
PASSED BY HOUSE
IN THE LEGISLATIVE RE
tContinued From Page one>


thckened. Tom Anglin Of Holden
vile. democrat, moved to amend by
striking all the appropriation for the
department except the salaries of the
commissioners. He admitted this would
amount in effect to abolishing the
commission. Actual adjustment, of
course, could not be effected without
a constitutional amendment.
Bob Davidson of Tulsa, chairman
OF the appropriations committee, and
Clark Nichols OF Eufaula, both demo
Gratis, endorsed Anglin's criticism. Of
the corporation commission Davidson
however. thought the oil and gas
conservation bureau shoull continue
10 function Ross Lillard of Oklahoma
city then proposed a substitute amend
ment which would cut Off all appro-
priations except for commissioners
salaries and operation OF the conserva-
zion department. He insisted that by
adopting the amendment, the senate
would have the state not only the APP
proNmate sum OF 5000 900 in appro-
priations, but would save God knows
how much 10 the cities whose rates
have been raised by the commission"
He declared the corporation commits
sion hai not functioned properly.
Horner opposed lAllard. saying that
10 abolish uae commission would be 10
leave the people without any protec-
ton against corporations. He said
suits were pending now to lower rates
and II the commission ceased 10 func-
ZION there would be no relief from
the present rates. Leedy asserted the
principle OF the corporation commits
sion was wrong, and that it was un-
able to cope with the rate problems.
motion was made to table the
amendments. and it carried by vote
Of ~ TO II. Davidson voted yes. Only
six republicans voted no.
Then Anglin proposed an amendment
u strike out the Appropriation for the
bureau for regulation of common car
Tiers. He declared the corporation conf
mission no longer had any regula-
tons over common carriers and it
was no use spending money to appear
10 do something that couldn't be done.
He said ii the commission ceased TO
function entirely relief could be OBJ
tained in district court. Davidson sup
ported Anglin's argument. He also
.contended the corporation commission
had lost jurisdiction over intra-state
Us well as Interstate rates. The
thing to 90. Davidson argued. was to
give the state legal department enough
money 10 adequately represent the
state before the interstate commerce
keeping the corporation commission to
fpnction in the fields in which it could
Do so
Wallace moved TO table the Anghn
amendment and this was done by
vote of y TO l9.
Then came moves to increase appro-
priat!ons. LIZARDS amendment to in
crease the contingent fund Of the con-
servation department from $4,000 TO
$50 900 for each year was adopted.
Morton Rutherford, OF Muskogee who
hal fought crippling amendments,
proposed the administrative contingent
fund be increased from sli 500 to $685.
OGO. the amount provided by the last
Legislature. Horace Durant OF Miami,
republican, said the commission asked
only s21 600 for this purpose, SO Ruth
erford reduced his amendment 10 that
sum. He took occasion TO make de-
tense OF the corporation commission
while speaking OF his amendment,
saying its hands hal been tied by in
sufficient appropriations. He also as
serted that sucl cases as appear be-
fore the corporation commission could
not be tried IN district court unless
the constitution was amended
The senate adiosrnCd before the
Rutherford amendment came TO
vote. II might be mentioned that there
are many angles to be considered IN
Judging the merits Of the fight on the
corporation commission al this time.
The commission. as now constituted,
has been on trial a very short time.
IL has taken no steps up 10 date
which would indicate the stand It viii
take Ia adjusting differences between
the public and the corporations. The
present chairman is Campbell Rus,
sell. democrat. but an enemy Of
Govern-r Robertson. T. x. Hughes.
the commssiyner who took office
this year is republican Whether
tie commission as now constituted
s0ould be- held responsible Tor the
actions Of the commission as lately
constituted s questionable one Is CON
iionted with these questions 10 viewing
yesterdays opments. Are the at
tacEs on the commission lue TO ele-
mental defects .n the system. to tho
uon-popUlarlty of the former commits
sion OF 10 -nmlty FOR The present
chairman and republican member
Are the defenders %. the corporation
commission inspired by q desire TO give
tue present commission chance to
show what 10 can do boy belief tnat
the system s the bes, one available
or by ir.,nJhness TO corporate inter.
Tests
n :. Hoover " Ardmore calico
uu the Jox-taN bin in the house yes-
tcri9y f.r reconsideration OF the vote
by which it failed TO pass short
time aro. And again the absentees-
there were 20 absent -causd the bin