Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-04
by PERRY
BRING PROPOSAL To
PROBE RAIL. BOARD

The declaration by James A.
Perry, a member of the state pub
lie service commission, that no har-
mony or cooperation exists among
the members Of the commission, and
that some of them have been neg
Letting their duties, has in
spired Representative Wimberly, Of
Toombs, to draft a resolution cali
ing for an investigation of the com.
mission. Mr.. Wimberly announced
that he would introduce the resolu-
ton at the afternoon session Thurs
day.
Commissioner Perry's statement
was made before the house commit
tee on railroads Wednesday Just be-
fore the committee voted 10 to 1
against bill to reduce the mem
bership OF the public service COM
mission from fvie to three commits
sioners. This bill also was by Rep
rcsentatiye Wimberly.
At Il morning session OF the COM
mittee Wednesday, Commissioner
Perry declared some members of
the commission are loafing on
the job, and that the work could
be done by three members as well
as five are now tra1fsacting it. Mr..
Perry stated that the actual physical
work could be done by one member.
He also criticized the secratery of
the commission for handling mai,
without referring it to members of
the commission, and complained of
an increase in salary voted to the
secretary by the other members of
the commission.
Mr.. Perry told the committee he
had introduced a resolution to re-
quire the commission to hold daily
sessions, but had been voted down,
4 to /.
AT thA afternoon session, Chair.
man Paul Trammell detailed the
work the commission is required to
do, and said the duties had increased
four or five fold since he became a
commissioner. He also said the mem.
bers of the commission who do not
spend all their time at the Office,
take the record and briefs in cases
to their homes and study them
there.
Mr.. Perry replied that he could re-
call only one instance when this had
been done, and added that two Of the
commissioners had put in only thirty
days of actual work during the first
six months of this year.
Commissioner James D. Price de-
clared that he was surprised to learn
from Mr.. Perry that there was only
one man on the commission really
qualified to hold the job. He also
declared that mutual friend came
to him in Athens and told him that
unless he voted for Mr.. Perry for
chairman of the commission, the lat
ter would introduce a resolution to
require daily sessions, and force him
to move to Atlanta or resign.
1.-The resolution wa snot intro
duced until after we had decided to
elect Mr.. Trammell chairman" Mr..
Price added. Mr.. Perry practices
law in connection with his duties,
and I have a right to look after my
farm
Mr.. Price declared that the COM
mission raised the salary of Secre-
tary Albert Collier because of the.
latter's efficiency, and that Mr.. Perry
tried to get a larger increase of sal
airy for the rate expert at the same
time. Mr.. Price also read a letter
from G.. NJ. Gambler, former chair
man of the commission, praising Mr..
Collier for his efficient work and
close cooperation for the seven years
Mr. Gambler was chairman.
Commissioner John T. Boifeuillet
pleaded with the committee to abol-
ish his office instead of Walter Nc
Donald's, if it abolished any, declar-
ing that he has his eyes and can do
something else, while Mr.. Melon
aid is totally blind.
Commissioner Mcdonald came
back with a plea that the sugges-
ton of Mr.. Boifeuillet\b be ignored.
although I have been blind since
was thirteen years old, I am
powerful good feeler, nd have felt
my way so far without asking char
ity," Mr.. Mcdonald said
Mr.. Mcdonald also stated that the
resolution for daily sessions was in
Produced because of Mr.. Perry's dis
appointment at not being made chair
man, and added that last year, when
he was a member of the house, he
worked with Mr.. Perry to defeat a
plan to reduce the membership of the
commission, involving Mr.. Perry's
own position.
At the conclusion of the hearing
Representative Wimberly asked per
mission to withdraw his bill, but the
committee insisted upon killing it.
II ~ n