The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-16
MATSON ASKS FOR
DATAON MERGER



partment has been done with funds
belonging 70 the public and that the
report OF the commissions engineer
should have been available TO the
public Immediately, especially In
view OF tho Importance OF the pend
ing proceeding,
1T Is obvious that Il will be en-
tireiy impossible for the intervenors
In this matter to render any assist
ance 10 the commission or TO the pub
lie, unless adequate time ID given for
study OF the evidence which the COM
mission itself will make available on
the hearing, and, in addition thereto,
adequate time is given for providing
such additional evidence as the in
torvenora may deem necessary in or
der 20 arrive nc a Just determination
OF the caluation OF these properties,
"Tho unfortunate result 20 the
city and the public In the telephone
rate case and water ratio case can
not be overlooked or forgotten by
the commission at this time. In
each OF those cases, the public suf'
fered needless Increase in rates, be-
cause Of the inadequate and In
sufficient character OF tho evidence
submitted Mt tho hearing"
Commission Decided
Tho merger opponents went before
the commission for tho hearing on
the Jurisdiction question with little
possibility of winning their point
Ruling OF Attorney General Arthur
Il. Gilliom that the commission has
jurisdiction over tho admended petit
ton asking merger OF the indian
apolis Light and Heat Company ana
the Merchants Heat and Light Com
900 900 will govern tho commission,
pany with a capitalization OF $780,
according to Commissioner Frank
Wampler in charge of the hearing
May Hear Arguments
Although oral arguments may be
heard this afternoon, they will be
unavailing, wampler declared, as
the commission will abide by the at
torney generals opinion.
The motion asking dismissal OF
the amended merger petition on
grounds the commission has no jur
isdiction was filed by attorneys rep
rcsenting the city. Chamber of Com
merce and Federation of Community
Civic Clubs.
A ruling on the jurisdiction of the
commission on the amended merger
petition was volunteered by Gilliom
Previously, on request Of the com
mission, he had ruled that the com
mission had no jurisdiction on the
| original merger petition because the
indianapolis Power and Light Com
pany, the concern which it is pro
posed shall absorb the two utilities
is as yet a mere dummy and not {
| public utility.
The amended petition, which Gil
liom upheld, asks the commission t
declare the company a utility.
Ellis Starts Work
Howell Ellis, former commission
secretary appointed to the commits
sion by Governor Jackson Tuesday
sat with other commissioners at
the hearing Ellis took the place OF
Samuel Artman, who was appointed
to craftsmanship of the industrial
board upon resignation Of Dixon By
mum. The Ellis appointment com
ing in the face of the merger hear
ing, created a furore of adverse com
ment.
Successor to Ellis as secretary
may be chosen at the weekly con
ference Of the commissioners Fri
day. The only written application
for the position has been filed by Ed
ward Bohne. Indianapolis, former
secretary to former Senator Albert
j. Beveridge. Beveridge wired Jack
son assuring him of Bohne's qualifl
cations for the position, and he has
the hacking of newly elected Su
preme Court Judge Clarence r. Mar
| tin and others with politica
strength.
The wording of another change in