The Lake County times., 1922-12-02
DIGGING IN
POLITICAL
TRENCHES
Conference For Purpose Of
lnsuFing Party Harmony
During Session

0- IAsslng IN the pOlitfca.
ttenches of 1924 will begin In In
annapolis Monday, when the Re7ub-
4lcan members OF the senate Will
mold conference chiefly for the
purpose OF jnsuring party harmony
on administration measures in the
coming session OF the legislature.
The next day the Democratic
leaders meeting with the state com
rllttee will hold a big pow WOW to
determine upon the most expedient
strategic moves to make in the
assembly for the purpose OF gain
ing strength with the voters two
years hence.
Democrats are delighted with
their position in the assembly. They
Will have some power but will not
have responsibility for any action.
To capitalize on this situation to
the fullest extent is the object OF
the party leaders.
In doing this they have deter
mined not to place them in the at
titude of obstructionists. They be-
lieve this would be bad policy. vet
they are fully determined to make
political CAPITAL out of the items in
the appropriation bill
Walter 5. Chambers. Democratic
state chairman. has announced that
the members Of his party in the
assembly will adhere to the planks
n the state platform. One of the
chief planks was condemning the
expenditures for the state prison.
Another plank. however. which
appeared in both the Democratic
and Republican platforms, is giving
leaders on both sides some concern.
This is the one relating to the pub
lie service commission. 1t now
appears certain, from the declara-
tion of members Of the house and
senate. that there will not be a
majority sentiment in favor of
aboIishing the commission. But
there does seem to be a great deal
or sentiment in favor of amending"
the public service commission law.
Just how it should be amended
is another question. The members
OF the assembly who desire this are
not quite clear on how they can
tain they desire it amended
This sentiment which undoubted-
ly will be exhibited on the f1oor Of
both houses is a stumbling block
over which the leaders are some
what concerned. Neither the Dem
ocratic or Republican leaders favor
the repeal of the law or any modih-
cations which will hamper its op-
Grafton.
Therefore, the question arises,
how can the abolitbonists and the
their stick Of candy and yet not
reduce the efficiency OF the COM
mission.
Up to this time there have been
several amendment ideas proposed.
but none Of them have been openly
espoused by leaders or the admin
istration.
Senator J. Monroe Fitch OF Nun
Gle, Republican. will introduce a
bill which viii prohibit A utility
from Issuing more securities than
the total of its tax assessment.
This strikes at the root of the
trouble. Senator Fitch thinks. The
utilities will seek low tax assess
ment and when that is determined
then they will not dare to ask for
a return on a greater investment.
But other members of the assem-
bly, shake their heads a this plan.
This would not DO they declare 1t
would not be fair to take the as
sessment figure at the actual used
and useful valuation OF the COM
pany for rate making purposes.
Then there is a bill proposed to
retire the present membership Of
the commission and have the gov
ernor appoint a new commission
This measure is not being looked
upon with a. great deal Of enthu-
siasra 1t is asked what good
would It do to merely change the
membership"
Bills to abolish the commission
outright. Of course. viii be pre-
sonted. This Is always done.
Balances against the abolition
dea are the pending bills to place
motor buses under the control Or
the r.lblic service commission 1t
is upon this conflict OF ideas that
some adequlte idea may be gained
Of lack OF abolition strength More
than 50 per cent Of the members or
the assembly have declared In
favor Of state control Of motor
buses. This means that they want
public service commission in
some form or another to operate,
cities. counties or other subdivi-
sions Of the state cannot supervise
the inter-city bus business This is
acknowledged by most Of the mem
bers Of the assembly Therefore,
there must be a state body to con-
troll the business.
In the criss-cross Of agitation
about taxation it now appears that
little or nothing will be done TO
change the present tax system. Re
lief from direct taxation will be
afforded t. . small extent by tax
Oh gasoline and by increasing the
motor vehicle licenses it appears,