Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-27

n TO
AID IN INQUIRY
Chairman Me- ardle Of Public
Service Body Promises
Cooperation.
ESTIMATE IS

John w. McCardle, chairman Of the
Indiana Public Service Commission, ten
dered the services of Chief Accountant
Harry Boggs to a subcommittee Of
Mayor Shank's committee 10 probe the
affairs Of the Indianapolis Street Railway
Company. The offer was unqualified, 1T
being understood Mr.. BOggs is to work
purely at the direction Of the commit
tee and lend aid in obtaining informa-
ton desired.
The mayors committee headed by J..
Stephen Fullen, who acted as spokes-
man, Intercepted Mr.. McCardle freely
on many points concerning the street
car compan and public service commits
sion.
Fullen demanded to know why an ap-
praisal Of the car company property had
ont been made when 1t was brought out
only an estimate had been used in ar
irving at a valuation Of $751; 600, 000 sew
eral years ago. Mr.. McCardle replied
the estimate was low and said that the
court inundated the action. Fullen wanted
to know how Mr.. McCardle knew 1t to
be low and the latter said that some
experts placed a valuation Of S2l, 900 600
on the property.
\ desire to see the car company stay
ont of the hands Of a receiver was ex-
pressed by Mr.. McCardle.
SAYS CAR COMPANY
SHOULD BE SAVED.
DO you know what would happen in
case Of 4 receivership? = Mr.. Cardle asked.
They would get an S1s,OO0,000 valuation
and an Scent fare from the Federal
Court. 1 think we should all work to-
gether to save the car company If pos
sible."
He was interrupted by Louis Schwartz.
a member Of the committee, who said
cars would not be running sixty days
after an increased fare was granted.
Indianapolis, Mr.. McCardle said, has
the lowest rate OF any city in the coun-
try, except those which have access to
water as a source Of power.
Mr.. Fullen demanded to know why an
valuation had not been made by the com
mission Of the street railway company.
Such a valuation. Mr.. McCardle said,
would cost the company S2J,OO0 and he
could see no reason for placing that
burden on the company with its already
low fare and no petition for al increase
under consideration.
Mr.. Fullen again referred to the man
ner in which the appraisal was made ask
ing II, in fact, it were not a guess" Mr..
McCardle replied it might be called q
guess" but it was a low guess"
VIII Mr.. Boggs'investlgation for US
be guess work." Mr.. McCardle was
asked.
Certainly not" was the reply" II you
have no confidence in him. don't take him.
He is the best the commission has"
DO you know the public service COM
is unpopular" one Of the mem
hers Of the committee asked.
BELIEVES VOTE
WOULD UPHOLD BODY.
Il believe il a special session Of the
Legislature were called tomorrow. very
few votes would be found in favor Of
repeating the public service commission
Mr.. McCardle replied with empha-
sis.
Mrs. VI. L Reifel, third membe Of the
committee, suggested the car company
the bankruptcy route after the
manner o. the Lafayette company and be
.rehnanced. No comment was made on
the suggestion.
All present agreed the best thing
would be to cooperate In finding a way
for the company without an increase
in fare, but still increasing revenues. The
car company should be relieved Of paying
the cost Of paving between it's tracks
and a 10-cent fare for rides within the
city on interurban cars would stop that
evil, members OF the committee said.
The extent OF the work Of Mr.. BOggs,
II his services are accepted, will be de-
termined by the committee. Mr.. Boggs
recently began an Investigation of The
books o fthe Citizens Gas Company to
determine If the increase in rates granted
temporarily any longer is Justifable.
SUGGESTIONS FOR
EXPERT TO FOLLOW.
Among the things suggested for Mr..
Boggs to seek information on are:
Segregation of capital and expense
items.
Income account Of the street car com
pany for 1921.
Amount Of money expended for paving
between car tracks.
Result Of operations OF the "jitnsy''
ordinance.
Amount Of money paid the car COM
psny in rentals by the interurban com
panies using the city tracks.
The committee expected TO receive $500
to be paid in hiring accountants from
the city, but It was discovered that
there was no fUnd which the city could
use for the purpose. In view OF the diff
Guilty the offer Of the public service
commission was made.
Corporation Counsel Taylor Groninger
and City Attorney James Ogden attended
the meeting, but took little part IN the
discussion.