The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-20

EDITOR IlmeS-IO TIE crlJlcS OF
the recent compromises between the
indianapolis Water Company ano
the Indianapolis Power and Light
Company and the committee as
originated in the central COM
mittee of South Side Civic clubs
this statement is made.
IF you had been drafted to repre-
sent and defend the many consum-
ers of these respondent public util-
tiles, what would you have done?"
AS the chief representative of the
civic clubs, I tried to get money by
appointing a finance committee and
setting it to work. One public-spirit-
ed firm gave SIS. That was all we
ever got. We had no expert en-
gineerS, accountants or rate sta
tisticians. We had offers by some
but they asked for money.
One accountant made a detailed
analysis and the city paid the con-
tracted price Of $500, first. because
it could use the data to equal adj
vantage as we Civic Club represent
atives and second (assumed) the
mayor knew and his council knew
that we couldn't rally enough public
spirited citizens together to accumu-
late $500.
1 recently have passed through an
experience which teaches me and
believe it teaches the public. that
public spirit" has hit depression.
Our professional engineers, rate ex-
perts and expert accountants placed
their price, Of dollars and cents, to
relieve or attempt to relieve a suf-
fering, depressed, city of public util-
ity patrons.
I am no lawyer, expert accountant,
rate expert or engineer, but was
drafted to use common sense and
''public spirit" I had no money
but was studying the legal profess
sion and conducting a business OF
commercial adjustments.
was compelled to drop IL all
and give my time to the recent rate
protest.
On the evening of the last DAY
Of the hearing, I, with a few others
was told to go direct to the presid-
ing commissioners Office, and avoid
newspaper reporters. In that office
proposal was made, subject to ou1
acceptance. After some discussion
as to its merits, a suggestion, not
by the commissioner or utility rep
resentatives, was made to the effect
that the petitioners committee be
consulted.
The commissioner objected, or
the theory that general satisfaction
could not be had, and he continued
to say that he was inclined to write
an order, and further, ne said he
had been ridiculed by the public
and press so if anybody was to be
the goat in this issue. he woulc
assume all the responsibility.
My question is, how does he as
sumo that responsibility, playing
golf down at Martinsville? We
we're faced with the problem OF
taking the proposal or fighting to
the supreme court. To the critics
of my vote, I want you to tell me
how we can fight a case to the
United States supreme court with
out money and public support
What woulG you have done?
During the hearings. there were
not exceeding fifteen spectators
from the consumers of public utility
service. I even had members OF
my original committee that did not
stand by. I had offers OF assistance
from some that I know would be-
tray their trusts. This was not Ia
have been a one-man fight II
should have been every mans fight
and know we would have won.
I am absolutely opposed 10 any
person. persons, corporation or cor
porationS attempting to restore tc
these utilities, their former rates
by having the court set aside the
present ruling. I am convinced
that whoever encourages this move