The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-30
M'INTOSH CASE
IN SPOTLIGHT
DURING WEEK
Legislation Is Shunted to
Side in Clash Over
Utility Check.
VETS SHOW STRENGTH
Banking Association Comes
In for CenSure Because
of Great Activity.
BY BEN STERN

Legislation was relegated to the
background this week as members
Of both Indiana houses and lobby
habitues devoted their time to dis
cussion Of charges, denials and ru-
mors concerning "promotional ex-
penses" OF the Southern Indiana
Telephone and Telegraph Company.
Asemblymen had little opportunity
to consider such weighty problems
as the income tax, voters registra-
ton and property tax reduction
measures which were introduced.
The house took time to pass the
Democratic platform pledge oldzage
pension measure on which party
lines. we're broken. In the mean
time the senate passed a similar
measure on to engrossment, after
raising the age limit from SIS to 10
years, and made the granting of a
pension purely optional with the
counties.
Ogden Rouses Storm
The "promotional expense" affair
was precipitated by Attorney-Gen-
cral James M. Ogden who an
nounced that he had been investi-
eating the manner in which check
for $4,000 paid to DR.. H. L. Hett,
Seymour postmaster, had been
spent during the hearing on Pc
tition for increased rates by the
phone company.
Commissioner Calvin Mcintosh
was involved when Ogden asked
that the former confer with him
regarding the order and the entire
affair
AS McIntosh's name became as
ISOLATED with disposition of the
check, the commissioner issued a
general and vigorous denial, and
asked that the house appoint COM
mittee to investigate both the
charges and his record in rate
cases.
Against Whitewash
When the Democratic house ma
iority met Tuesday night to consider
the subject OF a probe resolution,
Speaker Walter Myers announced
that the commissioner, who is a
Democrat, had notified him that he
MCINTOSH would prefer the Re-
publican senate do the probing so
that there could be no charges of
"whitewash.r
There is a general disposition on
the part of assembly members to
minimize the Importance of Ogden's
charges. This is said to be predi-
Gated on the attorney generals past
performance record.
One encouraging liberal note of
the week was the strength mustered
by the senate vets on the question
OF passing the Perkins resolution
mcmorializing congress to modify
the eighteenth amendment.
The banking association is coming
ia for condemnation among men,
bers. who declare that it is suppressed
ing the utilities representatives in
size and Vigor.
Crawford Leads Bank Forces
Leading the banking forces in
the house is Earl Crawford, Demo-
cratic caucus chairman, known
among members as the bankers
representative"
Crawford and DELPHI McKesson,
Democratic floor leader, came in for
their share of criticism this week
when James M. Knapp, G. o. p.
floor leader, had to save the party
income tax bill from sudden and
unexpected death. The house was
prepared to postpone indefinitely
the Evans income tax bill, as it's
own platform pledge measure al
ready had been introduced, when
Knapp reminded the members that
indefinite postponement of the
Evans bill would mean that, under
the rules, the subject of income tax
could not be discussed or acted
upon at this session.
Hartzell in Dilemma
Senator Lee j. Hartzell (Allen
and Noble) Republican floor leader,
has on his hands the task of collect
ing somehow or another the sum Of
$500. which it is said he promised
his friend, John H. Aiken, FIT
Wayne attorney. for acting as adj
wiser to the joint committee on tax
xtion.
According to Hartzells friends,
the $4,000 was to be split between
the two houses. but Speaker Walter
Myers today declared he knew moth
ing of the promise and no money
from the house would be paid to
Aiken.
On the other hand. Lieutenant
Governor Edgar D. Bush declares
that Aiken is to be given $500 and
the senate will not pay more than
500 OF this.
Myers said he could see no reason
for retaining a friend of Senator
Hartzell's when leading attorneys of
the state have given their services
on tax questions without consider
ing a fee
There is also involved the fact
that Aiken, who held Office as a
Democrat. bolted the ticket in the
last election and the house major
ity members feel that no bolter