Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-01-27
CUR DOG GETS
CLEAN BILL BY
HOUSE ACTION
Continued From Page oneJ


Continued From Page One)
ing clause, following a short argument.
The bin provided for the legalization OF
repair OF gravel road proceedings in Ger
tain cases and the Indebtedness or out
stsndin gclsims created against the
gravel road repair funds in such cases.
LEGALIZATICN
ACTS OPPOSED.
The House members indicate their OPP
position to any IegaIization acts such as
that contained in the bill by Its over
whelming majority in favor Of Killing the
bin. Opposition to the Iegalization bill
was led by Representative Charles w.
Harlan of Kosciusko County, where ac-
lions of county commissioners concerning
road repair funds are now in contro-
yersy.
Telephone company patrons would
not be compelled TO pay for their phones
during time service IS interrupted Ior
period OF more than two consecutive
days BY the provisions OF bill intro
duced by Representative David n.
Curry Of Sullivan County.
Twelve bills were introduced In the
morning session rs follows:
TiIden, providing for appropriation OF
real estate for highway purposes.
James, limiting length of fish taken
from Indiana streams Natural lie
Hare. providing for the relief of as
SCISSOR and deputies in Washington
township Of Decatur County. Claims.
Smith, providing for creation Of fifty
three free scholarships in the State Vet
Urinary School. and providing for the
payment Of the same from the State
treasury. State Medicine and Public
Health
Davis Of Hendricks. amendment Of an
act concerning admission of corporations
into State. Corporations.
Sherwood, appropriation to Carly on
the typographical survey in the State In
connection with the United States Gov
eminent Ways and Means.
Day, establishing a State board OF
building inspectors. judiciary &.
Haworth, amending the vocational
educational act and providing for the
levy OF q 1-cent tax for vocational pur-
poses. Ways adm Means.
Benedict, concerning return OF process
OF sherifs. judiciary B.
Anderson and Salef enabling improve
ment of county roads by direct labor
OF freeholders. Roads.
ship high schOl act Education.
Curry, relating to service Of tele-
phone companies. Telephones and teIe-
graphs.
EXPECT TWO REPORTS
ON UTILITY BILL.
With the probability that Judiciary
Committee A, which will hold a public
meeting tonight on House Bill No. 20,
calling for the adjustment of the public
service commission and the revival of
the old railroad commission, will bring
out a divided report, the attention of
the Representatives today was directed
. toward what promises TO be one OF the
outstanding battles OF the session.
The bill, which was introduced by
REPRESENTATIVES, Claude A. Smith Of Glib
Son County, Omer L. Newman of Marion
County. Russell X. BedsOOd Of Tippe-
canoe and Warren counties, r. Z. Baker
of Posey County, and Oscar F. Lydy OF
Hamilton County. has served as no other
incident has TO point to the activities OF
the present public service commission,
and already the lawmakers are invesu-
eating the records in order TO be pre-
pared when the expected fight develops on
the floor OF the House.
Friends OF the commission believe that
its policies are responsible largely, II not
entirely. for its present predicaI-ent
Men who will fight for the survival OF
the commission as against restitution
Of the railroad commission feel, however,
that some safeguards should be Injected
IN the public utilitX law that VIII ward
OF in the future just such an attack as
has now been precipitated.
CHARGE ABUSE OF
EMERGENCY CLAUSE.
The fact that the commission has prat-
ticaIly suspended that portion OF the
statute providing for an evaluatiOn OF
property and has acted largely under the
emergency prerOgatiTes granted it by law,
is in the opinion Of many Of the legisa-
tors, the cause of the bill aimed at its
destruction.
Section Of the public utility act is
frequently cited in discussing the situa-
ton. 1t says: The commission shan
value all of the property Of every pub
lie utility actually used and useful for
the convenience OF the public"
1t is pointed out that there are no
bars TO the number Of experts the com
mission may employ to investigate util-
tiles petitioning for rate increases, mas
much as the company in question must
bear the expense OF the surtey. This
clause was placed in the law, it is said,
in order to give the commission accu-
rate knowledge Of all the facts prelim
mary to decision On a request for rate
fixing.
But proponents admit and opponents
Of the commission charge this procedure
has been largely discarded and the com
mission has made its grants under the
emergency clause and without the as
sistance Of a proper evaluatlon. 1t has
been the frequency Of the rate increases
granted for emergencies that has brought
the commission into public disfavOr, the
lawmakers believe.
The war is over and the pressing
emergency for Immediate increases has
ceased, it IS pointed out. yet the commits
sion stiH acts on emergency requests.
The clause was q saving grace to many
utilities during the war, friends OF the
commission assert, and probably saved
many from bankruptcy, but they can no
longer see the need OF hasty action on
petitions for rates.
PROPOSE AN
AMENDMENT.
Some of the legislators, in informal dis
cussions, are considering the advisa-
bility Of pressing for an amendment to
the utility law that would have the
effect of saving the commission from it
self. They would place a bar against
granting emergency relief TO such com
. panies as have not been properly eval-
IASated in accordance with section Of
- utility act
.<sfThIs. they declare, would restore the
kommission to its intended functions ana
NauId follow out the spirit Of the orig
Nh~f- hnNTn Of 81