The Indianapolis times., 1923-07-12

eo14 AAO4 OoSOO noIO1 dIOo N4A1
At the same time Shank wrote 6
letter to Governor McCray asking that
Commissioner Edgar NJ. Blessing be
relieved of sitting in the water case
because of what the mayor terms as
his admitted" triendliness with c. NJ
Geist. president Of the water company
]. Stephen F>ullen, 10S1 Blaine Ave.
acting as a taxpayer and water con
sumer, filed petition with the com
mission asking that Blessing be pre-
vented from sitting in the water case
on the ground he has been dis
qualified by various actions.
In his letter to Walb. Shank said
the water company had promised Il
would not ask for rate increase.
N''I see the handwriting on the wall,
he said. do not underestimate the
Importance OF this"
The letter to McCray:
IT believe that the people Of Indi-
ana have explicit confidence in your
honesty and integrety, and believe
that you would do the things that
are best for the people Of Indianap-
oils in the hearing Of the water rate
case before the public service COM
mission.
Cites Club Gossip
You are quoted as saying that
you did not consider seriously the
statement made by me regarding
Commissioner Blessing being friend
" with Mr.. Geist, president Of the
water company. do not bellve that
you have heard remarks around the
clubs and in public gatherings as I
have.
IT consider this question the most
important and the most serious
which has been brought before the
public service commission since
have been mayor. AS mayor rep
resenting the citizens of Indianapo-
lis I am asking you to use for the
benefit and for the good Of the
citizens of Indianapolis and for
Commissioner Blessing as well your
influence with the proper authorities
to relieve Commissioner Blessing
OF any participation in the hearing
of this case.
People Have Rights
II believe that the people OF In
dianapclis have the same rights
that a man would have In any
court of justice and I feel that Mr..
Blessing has admitted friendly rela-
tions with Mr.. Geist and the ru-
mored entertainment of him at Mr..
Geist's summer cottage disqualifies
him to sit as a member of the COM
mission during the hearing of this
most important case, directly IN
volving the interests of every citi-
zen of Indianapolis and the future
welfare of the city at large
Speech Recalled
In a speech at Garfield Park Mon
day evening Mayor Shank said tha-
"a short time ago one member of the
commission and his wife were buying
some new gowns and things. Wher
their neighbors asked them WHERE
they were going they replied the.
were going for a visit with Mr. Gels
Of Philadelphia at Atlantic City"
c. H. Geist is president of the water
company.
Blessing issued a statement Wednes
day in reply, saying the water case
would be decided upon its merits anC
not upon friendship. No mention wa.
made of the visit to Atlantic City
mentioned by Mayor Shank.
No Demonstrations
Regardless of what the city is plan
ming there will be no demonstration
permitted at the hearing which viii
be conducted '1n an orderly way" sait
Chairman John W. McCardle Of the
commission. The hearing will be ir
the House Of Representatives cham
Der.
He said that the Governor has the
power TO summarily remove a mem
Der OF the commission. as. Shank asks
Blessing left the city late Wednes
day, and It is not known where he is
McCardle said.
Governor McCray refused to com
ment on Shank's demand
Mayor Shank said no definite pro
cedure had been decided upon except
to send the protest to Governor Nc
Cray. He said he would confer with
members of the legal department or
the matter.
Committees to Meet
All precinct committeeman of the
Republican city organization will bt
called together in ward meetings to
night preliminary TO a house-to-houss
canvass for signatures to petitions de
manding a reduction in water rates
rather than an increase.
n
titions will be obtained by Saturday
night, according to plans perfected al
a meeting Of Republican ward commit.
teemen and committeewomen at the
mayors office Wednesday night. The
meeting was in charge of John F.
Walker, superintendent of street clean.
ing. A number of Democrats were
present The principal talk was made
by John F. Geckler, Democrat.
Showers failed to dampen the en-;