Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-06-28
EDITO RIAL.
A CoMMENDABLE STAND.

IN the dust that is being raised at
the inception of the gubernatorlal
race and the opening of the Georgia
assembly, with its threatened investi-
cations which likely will center about
the office of commissioner of agrl-
culture whcre a campaign also IS
in progress, the state railroad COM
mission race promises early to be
left out of the political spotlight
throughout the entire race. There
fore we believe it not inopportune,
before the atmosphere gets too sur
charged, to make a few comments
upon the contest for that board as
it is developing.
There will bestwo vacancies on the
railroad commission this year by ex-
piration of terms-those of C. Muir
phey Gambler, chairman, and Judge
]. A. Perry. Mr.. Gambler has an
nounced his retirement; that he will
not be a candidate for reelection
Mr.. Perry already has announced
that he will seek to retain his seat.
In the case of Mr.. Gambler, the
board will, lose one of its ablest
members, a man of high integrity and
one of great ability. Several men of
splendid standing in their own COM
munities, of whose real abilities we
know little, have offered for the
place and are making active cam
paigns. Two Of them-Messrs. John
son, of Gainesville, and Mcdonald.
of Augusta, both members of the
legislature-have visited Americas
recently and have made good impress
sions.
In the case of Mr.. Perry we have
the rather usual circumstances of
man vigorously opposed for re-elec-
ton sticking closely to his job at the
capitol, attempting to perform the
duties of his office instead of leav-
ing those duties to go vote-seeking
about the state.
Judge Perry has proved one of the
strong men Of the Georgia railroad
commission. He holds the respect
and high esteem of his fellow board
members, and the fact that he was
chosen some time ago as the presi-
dent Of the association of State Pub
lie Service Commissions, represent
ing the railroad boards of the vari-
Gus states in the union, is at least
forceful indication of the esteem
in which he is held by all with whom
he comes in contact.
While at least one of his oppon-
ent5 has been running about the state
begging newspapers for favorable
publicity On the strength of a more
or less weak former connection with
the newspaper publishing business in
Georgia, and at the same time as
sorting that he could be counted upon
70 vote for reduced public utility
rates when elected, Judge Perry an
nounced that he would not leave his
POTS Of duty and run around the state
scrambling for office.
Numerous decisions rendered. bv
the railroad Commission of which Mr.
Perry is member, have been de-
cldely unpopular. But who will saw
that they were not decisions iust1v
based upon the facts as deveIoDo9
before the commission? At anv ratio
we believe the commission has bean
honest in attempting to deal fairI,,
alike with tie public and the corpora.
ton We believe the peopIo want
men of that type on their state com
mission, rot the kind who announce
what their decisions are going 10 bo
IN case before giving them a beariro
9r even before they have been elect,
ed to office.
We believe Judge Perry's retep-
ton, at least in the light of present
opposition, to be for the best intor
ests of Georgia.