The Indianapolis times., 1927-01-29
PUBLIC SERVICE
BODY AFFECTED
BY FIVE BILLS
Mass of Proposed Measures
Result of Fight on Com
mission.

Five bins dealing wite the puc-
lie service commission are now pend
ing action in the Indiana Senate.
Their provisions range from the
Cam bill calling for complete
abolition of the body 10 those of
Senator Curtis Shake. Fincennes,
which would merely remove
municipality owned utilities from
commission control
Two of the bills have been re-
ported favorably out of committee
and the rest are pending hearing.
Other measures are in the making
and if all ideas eXtant regarding
what to do about utility regulation
are TO be incorporated the number of
bills will reach a score before the
session ends
The bill introduced by Senator
Howard A. Cam, Frankfort, was
the first to be submitted: Originally
it called for complete abolition of
the commission and revival of the
old railroad board. After a public
hearing before Cams committee on
public rights and franchises it was
amended and the railroad board re.
vival plan stricken out. Utility at
torneys appeared at the hearing and
pleaded for retention of the commits.
sion. but the committee reported the
amended bill out with unanimous ap.
proval.
Delay Bills Cali
Some effort was made in the Sen.
ate to secure further hearings, but
after a speech by Cam against de.
lay the committee report was ac'
cepted. Cam continues to refuse
to call the bill down for second read,
ing and debate.
Another radical change in the
commission is proposed in Senate
bill 121. introduced by Senator Rob
ert L. Moorhead. Indianapolis. This
bill provides that the commissioners
be elected from the five Supreme
Court districts. rather than appoint
ed by the Governor as under the
present plan. The bill carries ar
emergency clause and is to become
effective May /, if passed. The Gov
ernor is to appoint the commission
ers TO hold office until they may bt
elected at the November election.
The Moorhead bill provides rules
by which the commissioners are t
be governed and declares that they
must take into consideration tht
present market value and tax as
sessment value in determining
worth.
Judiciary \ Committee, of wnict
Senator Denver c. Harlan. Rich
mond. is chairman, has the bill
Shakes bill to remove municipa
utilities from commission contro
went TO the Cam corlmittee.
Another bill by Senator Shake per
mits municipal light plants to pu
their surplus earnings in the gen
eral fund of the city. This was re
ported on favorably by the commit
tee on cities and towns Friday,
Appeal Provided.
a third bill by the same Senate
provides for appeal from commission
decisions to the Circuit or Superio
Courts of the county affected by TIL
decision. This went to Judiciary !
and has not been reported on.
Public service commission bills t
be introduced next week includes on
by Senator Denver Harlan whicl
would broaden the commission
powers under the present organiza
ton and give them permission t,
probe into the money expended b.
utilities for lawyers and lobbyists
The Democratic Senator'S are pre-
pairing a bill providing for radica
commission changes. 1t will abolisl
the present commission and put il
it's stead a commission of six mem
bers, three Democrats and three Re
publicans. They will be appointed
by the Governor. but must have thu
approval of two-thirds of the Senate
1t also provides for appeal to thu
Marion County courts from commits
sion decisions and would make as
sessment figures large factor il
determining value. The commission
would be able under this measur,
to eliminate high salaries paid fol
lawyers and lobbyists when de
termining operation costs for rat
making.