The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-01-15
The Senate's important Duty
In Utilities Commission
Appointments

The Senate Committee on the District Of Columbia Is now
faced by the important duty Of asCertainng whether
poiees Of the President to the Public Utilities Commits
o the District unbiased between the public and the
utilities corporations Of this city.
Apparently substantial reports state that at least ap
pointee member Of the commission and the peoples attorney
have been closely associated with identified intimately and
less directly with the street railway interests and in
fuences Of this city
Nothing would be SO injurious to the future work of the
commission the discovery that Of its officials might be
open to the accusation Of bias toward the corporations
under possible influence domination of persons
nected with the corporations
Of all positions Public Utilities Commission should be
feest from suspicion that its personnel had been den
fled with corporation personnel or interests
In the case Of Blaine Maan, nominated to be PEOPLES
ATTORNEY it is pointed out that he is son-in-law Of
long attorney washington Tor the PENN
banking relations with the street railways and public utilities
Of the District
titled to whomever he like clients His corpora
ton affiliations SUCH however, that his views and sympa
thies might naturally be with these institutions
# Mr. MCKenney's son-in-law is confirmed peoples
attorney his efforts behalf Of the public however honest
and sincere they may be- will be subjected to doubt and
criticism by people.
The peoples attorney for the Commission to have
other duty than defend the of the people Of Wash
qton as against the claims and appeals of the public utilities
corporations As such he should not only be learned in the
law experienced in the courts and familiar with public ut
ties problems and statutes but and
behalf Of his clients-THE PUBLIC.
Mr.. Maan is at least without experience In utilities mat
Eers unfamiliar with the methods Of able corporation lawyers
and without the wide experience in the courts that would be
useful I'd him.
Il would be eminenty improper and uniting that
nominated be Commissioners should have been in the past
intimately associated with high street railway ocas-at
least in such way to suspicion to the influences
that might follow them into the Utilities Commission
The Senate committee which will pass upon these nomina
lions constituted that will have the to reject
any nominations that do not appear suitable for public service
and about which there may be now in the future question
or doubt.
Members of that committee friends Of the President and
fully realize his difficulties in making District appointments
Their rejection Of any Of his nominations would not be
criticism Of him.
The Senate committee should however, attempt to make its
Investigations and act before Congress adourns, that
there reflections the President may have opportunity to
make nominations.
Recess appointments Of the three already named with
out favorable unfavoabe action by the Senate would
pcate the public utilities situation here beyond imagination
and befuddle conditions that are bad enough anyhow