The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-02-10
The People Want
Real Regulation,
Not Chaos

Public that there change the public
utility situation change which will give the people confidence
in the regulation and fairness than they have received
To adopt the Cam measure aboshng the public service
commission and all State regulation chaos
To pass that measure would leave the people helpless 1t
that apparently born in desperate prejudice
and hate rather than from any consideration to what it
where it heads.
The theory of regulation of public utilities the only ten
able one unless the people ready purchase and operate
all public utilities.
There is no middle ground The old franchise operation
and corruption Of local city governments failed to work 1t
was disgust with that condition which forced the passage of
the present law providing regulation by State commission
The theory the present law correct But the
in which the present commission has enforced has brought
Statewide protest and disgust.
The people the membership of this present commits
sion changed They believe that has been owned and
troed by utilities They believe that it has been dominated
by utility lawyers They believe named to satisfy utility
contributors to campaign funds.
But law that wipes it and leaves nothing in its
place would be and more costly
The law can be changed very simple and made workable
if the the Legislature who really wish to do some
thing to relieve the people of utility domination will work out
the problem without interference from that highly paid utility
lobby which is at work upon them.
The law failed primarily, because it does not permit
the commission to regulate expenditures of the utilities
well their income.
There is no way of preventing these utilities from pay
ing lobbyists and then charging the cost back to the
people legal" expense. And they do just that thing
There no way preventing exorbant salaries to officials
who do nothing than pull financial strings
There way of preventing contracts for materials to
subsidiary companies at prices far above the market
There no way enforcing honest
ment.
The commission tells the companies how much they can
collect obtain interest and dvidendsafter their
of operation That gets place long there no
curb cost of operation.
every fight the people have paid for both sides
telephone alone the paid $3 6503 the
expense company fighting their demand for decent
rates.
provision in the law that the fights be paid
by stockholders and by the might them accept
readily a. decent arbitration.
There should be supervision Of the appointing power
that will give the people.confdence.
commission of four members salaries large enough
to attract capable and large enough lift them above
temptation subject confirmation by wohrd of the Senate
made nonpartisan possible with requirement of
three Of the four make any order effective would have
an appearance of greater fairness.
There should be provision against hasty action and
provision Of sixty days notice important rate service
changes would correct that
One of the schemes by which the people loaded with
unjust through the holding companies incorporated in
other States and now beyond regulation.
These holding fasten contracts their local
companies taking percentages of their income for which they
render service Those superuties should be forced
to under the regulation Of the commission and submit to
the jurisdiction Of State courts be forced to quit the State
Members Of the Legislature have declared that they
suggestions concrete methods Of controlling the utilities
They know that the present commission with it's quick
change before the merger decision with the open charge that
utilities made huge contributions to the campaign of the Gov
ernor, not investigated must go.
1t has outlived its usefulness Whether deserved not
it longer has public confidence The fight made by the
utility agents behalf of its members the strongest ndc
, ment that could be made against it.
Why not law with these features.
commission subject to confirmation by twohirds
vote of the Senate paid large enough salary insure the
best brains to fight for the people
Control of operating expenses eliminate inside waste
and perqustes
Payment of all litigation from profits and from op
Grating revenues.
Sixty days deliberation and time protest all rate
orders and petitions.
The bringing of holding companies under the regulation of
the State commission, with all litigation in State courts