The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-02-23
SCHOOLS WIN FIRST FALL
WHEN SENATE BLOCKADE
WAS BROKEN YESTERDAY
CONTINUED from Page One)

NNoHAlihfu Atolu rage Onel
whose numbers have been removed
or mutilated TO report it TO the com.
MISS Her ctc.
The bill by senators Briggs and
Rutherford providing that wholesale
material dealers must sell to state.
county or city, or 20 contractors on
pUbiic work at the same price they
sell to retail dealers was passed.
Also Senator Glassers bill to permit
Dc"fies Ca build roads through in
corporated towns.
tut senate was i'm hot debate over
the house bill eXempting the Farm
ois Union, i'm the same manner as
the Change, from certain insurance
regulations, when the hour of ad-
lornment came Senator Cordell was
championing the measure, while Sena-
tor Davidson was fighting it, on the
ground that it was showing undue
iavoritism to one class. Senator
Fleming also was against the measure.
An iattempt to definitely postpone
consideration had failed 1t looked
as if the bin would be advanced Then
o'clock arrived, the hour al which
the senate had previously voted to
adjourn, and Tom Simpson, who was
in the chair declared the senate ad-
journed, in spite Of Cordels vigor-
GUS protest.
Campbell Russell. chairman of the
corporation commission, writes a let
ter to the legislature. He calls at
tention to the work the commission
has to do, the need for sufficient
IN
promptly and suggests that the oil
ana gas conservation bureau might
well be placed in some other depart
ment. He signs the letter as a mem
Der Of the corporation commission to
make it clear he does not presume
TO speak for the commission but
merely for one member of it--him-
self
The letter recites that more than
1900 separate public utilities are op.
Grating in Oklahoma, and that some
100 million dollars will be paid for
public utility service this year. At
tention is directed to the condition
of the commission court docket-62
cases pending, 40 heard but not de-
cded, "a new cases docketed in the
L.,
eight cases heard and closed. IS de-
clsions handed down. Under such
condition of the docket" the letter
statess and with the assistance
available it is utterly impossible to
give that prompt and thorough at
tention which must always be reck-
oned among the essentials Of proper
utility regulation, and which both
the patrons and owners of public
utilities have right to expect and
demand 1t states further, "If this
commission is to supervise these
utilities in such way rs to be real
ly helpful in securing reasonably
'efficient service for a just and fair
compensation, l submit that our time
will not only be very fully occu-
pied, but the service and advice of
capable assistants will be imperatively
necessary"
In regard TO the conservation de
. partment, Russelrs letter says, I'm
the minds of some legislators. in
times past, the corporation commits. |
sion seemingly appeared as a capa-
cious hopper into which any variety |
or quantity OF grist might be dumped. |
IL is not my thought tS suggest that |
the legislature has been prompted |
by any other purpose than the pro-
motion of the public interest. vet II |
is worthy Of careful consideration |
as to whether or not the conducting
of side line (like oil inspection. for
instance) that requires the selecting, |
appointing and supervising of nearly
"a
lated to detract from the more i'm.
portant work for which this COM
mission was created.
THE constitutional powers vested
in this commission furnished valid
reasons, perhaps, for placing the con-
servation of oil and gas under its
Jurisdiction, yet it is at least worthy
Of consideration as TO whether or
not the responsibility of selecting an
operating force for field work and
the supervision Of the same, might
not have been better placed elsewhere.
leaving the commission charged only
with the duty Of providing rules and
enforcement Of the same when opera
tors are cited for violation thereof;
Mt least this responsibility should de-
finiteiy be placed somewhere while
this legislature is in session.
This matter having been here
tofore called TO your attention, | will
not here 70 into details, but will
say in conclusion that If, in your
wisdom, you see iii TO place else
where the responsibility (the privi-
lege, n IL be so esteemed) OF select
ing the scores Of inspectors, etc, re-
ferred 20, such action will receive AT
least my commendation."
Provision for the commission Is
mentioned in one place as follows:
I'm nay humble judgment this legsa-
ture viii not have discharged the
duty II owes to public utility patrons
in Oklahoma II it shall fail TO pro-
vide for the service OF such as
sistanis as may enable the commits
sion to expeditously and justly de-
termine such causes Is come within
its jurisdiction
X squite unusual for an official TO
seek 20 divest himself or his depart
ment Of appontve power The only
move in the legislature thus far that
has come 70 light affecting the oil
and gas conservation department Is
the bill, introduced In the house by
Ell Admire Of Creek county. Re-
publican, which would place the ap-
pontive power. The only move In
the legislature thus far that has come
TO light affecting the oil and gas con.
servotlon department is the bill in
troduced In the house by ELI Admire
OF Creek county. Republican. which
would place the appointments in the
bureau solely in the hands OF the cor
poration commission; at present con-
frmotlon by the governor is required