The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-18
HERESAY CHARGES

HERESAY. CHARGES
No Injunction has been granted against the pub
lie service commission, preventing it from hearing
the petition Of the fnanciers who want to put the
two electric companies into and put out securities
on the combination to the extent of than fifty
/ five millions of dollars.
The corporation counsel Of this city charged that
the commission is prejudced in advance because of
contributions made to the campaign fund of the
Governor
He made very definite charge definite to
amount, definite as to the time, definite as to the
purpose
There can be no criticism of the Judge who
! fused an Injunction
The law, being an exact science, has exact meth
DDS of producing what it calls Justice 1t must as
sumo that public servants are honest 1t can later
set aside their verdicts if they are proven to be
otherwise.
Popular thought should properly be directed to
the comments of attorneys for the corporations
affected and the attorney general of the State.
They declared that the charge made by Attorney
Rucker were based heresay, suspicion and rumor.
The public might be most properly interested
in knowing just how and when and where such def
mite charges could be started why they started and
why they gained such general circulation as to be-
come rumors.
If that light wave of the legal hand be true, the
public has the right to know why such charges gain
circulation in this State at this time.
Surely they are not the product Of imagination.
That gives too much credit for genius to some
known scandal monger.
For the rumors, if they be rumors, fit the facts
too well to be the result of mere imagery.
rumor must have a start. 1t can be started,
of course, by malignant mind Or it may start
from whispered conferences, or louder protests of
indignation.
The thing in which the public is interested
is in knowing whether there is any real truth behind
this The court WILL in due time, investigate
as that truth may affect the ultimate decision it may
make and the public will not interfere in that inquiry
But the public also has right to other irvestga-
tons that will reveal the source of this story and
these charges, and when that is found it will have
a remarkable effect public confidence
Sometimes heresay evidence is the best evidence.
Often the truth is had in that manner which cannot
be forced from unwilling lips through legal channels.
Perhaps the best test of this rumor is to ask the
simple question as to whether the commission in its
decisions and its actions has conducted itself in
manner to support belief in the
Would any of it's decision have been different
this charge true?
Has it rendered decision which would
affront any of those charged being part of
general conspiracy!
Has it ever given decision which would ndi-
cate that there is special favoritism for the forces
which charged with attempting to control its
membership and its organization?
Has 1t been unduly friendly to the corporations
of this State in the matter of rates permits?
Has it been extremely jealous to protect the dol
lars of the people who taxed for light and heat
and telephone service and water and street railway
transportation?
Has it been a public service commission or
pablo utility commission?
These inquiries which the public may at
this time make with the greatest of propriety while
the courts investigating any legal phases of the
charge of conspiracy made by the attorney for
this city.
And upon that inquiry may be based a public
judgment to what should be done about this com.
mission
The decisions the commission have rendered
are not heresay charges. They are translated into
dollars that are paid by the public.
Quite incidentally, it would be very unfortunate
il the commission should decide any important case
until all the facts not only concerning its own po-
hca background but also concerning the particular
case are given fully and completely to those who
viii pay the bills.