The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-23
INDIANAPOLIS Legislation

Just why city of the size and Importance of In
dianapois should be compelled to go to the state
legislature to get permission to something that its
citizens all desire is of the inherited shackes
from the past. But that is the situation.
It so happens that this year the city asking for
some very important legislation. 1t needs, or SO at
torneys seem to believe new laws in order that the
win of the people OF this city may be carried out.
So the absurd spectacle is presented of having
legislature composed of members elected by men and
women who can in no way be affected, passing upon
the right of Indianapolis to do necessary things.
This city has a contract to take over the gas
utility The plant is worth many more millions than
the price agreed upon twenty three years ago when
the city gave the right to the company to use its
streets The contract is plain and easily understood
The stockholders promised to take 10 per cent
year on their investment for twenty-five years and
then turn over the plant for the exact amount OF
their investment. 1t is business contract
The city administration, the Chamber of Commerce,
the trustees foe the stockholders the directors OF the
company ali agreed that the city is entitled TO the
plant at the definite price.
Disquietng rumors from the statehouse indicate
that the laws providing merely the machinery for the
operation of the plant will be opposed by members
of the legislature whose people could have no possible
interest in whether the city whole owns the plant
or it be run by private capital
ANY opposition 20 these laws is suspicious 1t in
dictates that there Interior interests at work. ana
of course there are The public utilities as group,
do not like to see public ownership of any plant They
have spent lot of money trying to teach people that
it is bad business-bad, of course, for the people
The utilities under the leadership of the insult
group have their high-priced lobbyists on the job
They are easily spotted those who do not regis
ter as SUCH They are the men who hobnob with the
lawmakers from the farms. They can be found
lunching with members who may be fattered
while fed.
These same lobbyists and machine politicians will
be found working together against one other Indian
apolis demand. They do not like the city manageS
plan voted by four out of five of the people of this CITY,
They will try, in every way, to destroy that law
either by repeal or through amendments that will
make it ineffective order to turn the city back to
the political control under which it suffered through
its Duvalls and its Collins.
The people should have lobby. They should
make plain to lawmakers from the outside counties
that any legislator who fights the things on which
public opinion in this city is united places himself
under suspicion. If necessary. any such member
should be told that if he interfereS, the word will BE-
sent back to his home and he will be asked to explain
to his own constituents his antagonsm to Indianapolis
Public sentiment in this city on these two sub
jects is definite and united. The objects are selfish
and steps forward
The bosses and the professional lobbyists should
be made to understand that interference with these
measures will be tolerated.