The Indianapolis times., 1927-02-05
FIXING AN ALIBI

There is nothing even ingenious in the
scheme of certain legislators to spend few thou
sand dollars for national Survey of public service
commissions and the control of utilities.
1t is an old trick 1t often works.
Just as shrewd burglars find it convenient t
manufacture abi in advance of their crimes, lav
makers often find it convenient to create plausb
excuses for the people back home.
The plain truth is that the utility lobby is ye
powerful in the Statehouse and that it would be pc
fectly happy if conditions and laws allowed
remain exactly they for another two year
they could go home, draw their fees and get IL
thanks of the insults and others who hire them.
1t is an even more evident truth that there
widespread dissatisfaction with the workings of the
public service law and such protest that the mis-
guided would go the extent of abolishng the
commission and taking chance getting justic
from city councils mayors.
Justice compels the statement that howeve
kind the public service commission has been to the
utilities the Federal courts have been gen
erous
None will deny, however that the utility CON
panies of this State have no fear of the commissio
and that the agents of the utilities fighting harde
to retain the commission than they fought its es
tablishment when it was created a protection 70
the people.
The proposal that the Legislature give five OF
its members nice assignment to journey over the
country during the next two years. at State expense
of course, merely Cmeans that the utility lobby be-
eves that many legislators will hesitate to go home
without making at least gesture toward amending
the present laws.
This would furnish an excuse that would be
plausible. The legislators would explain that they
did not want to be hasty and desired to know what
other States are doing.
They hope they would not be embarrassed by any
citizen asking if they did not already know what the
commission has done in Indiana.
What they want is the old abi and they will
trust to luck to their standing in their own
homes
They know that the people demand some re-
dress The people already asking why the Legis-
ature refuses to investigate the open charge that
present commission is dominated through huge
campaign contribution two years ago, charge
made by a responsible official Of this city
They. know that the people would like to drive
the utilities out Of politics. at least make it more
difficult for them to control politics.
They know that the utilities have been in poll
tics, in politics and probably will stay in politics.
What the people want is only fair deal. They
do not want to try their cases before prejudiced
bodies
ANo'S"u vi uOl"y VI bWO years loI al 6ApSuSlNc
unket or survey excursion what have you the
legislators might proftably spend two days in
trying to discover amendments which will restore
confidence Of the people In the principle of public
control of public utilities.
At least, it ought not to be permittefto furnish
a shelter for the timid or hesitant Straight votes
that will show either corporation influence or the lack
of it will be much more Illuminating The people
have right to know where their representatives
and Senators stand on public questions.
Ten thousand dollar albis are too expensive