The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-22

Ground) and Jesse Wade 3D.,
Mt. Vernon) objected to what
they termed rushing the
bill by suspension of the rules.
Senator Leo X. Smith 3D.,
Indianapolis explained the
purpose of the request by the entire
Marion County delegation that sus-
pension be voted He said that a
firm which he has been informed
is capitalized at only $500 is seeking
a natural gas franchise from the
Marion County commissioners.
Mayor John w. Kern of Indian
apolis, and other city officials are
afraid such a franchise would block
the cityS acquisition of the Citi-
zens' Gas Co., Senator Smith said.
He explained that the county COM
missionerS are expected to grant a
franchise to the Users company
Feb. 4. This bill on which suspen-
sion of the rules is sought would re-
quire Public Service Commission
approval OF any FRANCHISE.
House Action Fails
In the House, where it had been
expected another attempt would be
made to suspend rules to permit
immediate passage of the bill block
ing anticipated action of the Board
of Commissioners, sponsors of the
bill, discovered they could round up
only 81 voteS-three short of the re-
quired number. The Republicans
stood firm against suspension of
rules.
Directing to what he termed I'M
due haste, Senator Wade said he
had heard hints of corruption in
connection with the bill
Senator Walter Chambers Cd,
NewcaStle) asked:
DO you mean that it is con-
templated granting a franchise
worth perhaps $1,OOO,O00 to a COM
pany capitalized for only $500?"
Senator Smith said such was his
information. That's enough for
me-" said Senator Chambers. I'm
going to vote for suspension"
Approached" Weiss Says
Pointing out that he was speak
ing as a Senator from Marion
County, and by intimation, not as
President pro tenn. of the Senate,
Senator weiss declared that the
Marion County Commissioners COM
Y711ffpd fhnr14cnlxyac 81
Co. to grant franchise before even
a hearing was held.
Senator Weiss then said that
he has been approached, as an
attorney and as a political figure
of Marion County, with the prop
osition that 100000 would be
available for distribution among
certain Marion County attorneys.
if the Users franchise we're put
through.
He explained that the city's
purchase of the Citizens COM
pany, if it goes through, will be
on basis of S25 a share for a
S65-a-share market value. If a
franchise is granted Users company,
Senator Weiss said, the city would
have to do business with it in order
to add natural gas to the artificial
gas now supplied.
And l want to say to you Sem
ators from Southern Indiana" he
asserted, that the city would be
prevented from buying Southern
Indiana gas at approximately a
Is per cent saving"
Reply Made by Givan
Senator Wade reoorted that "a
government official" had discussed
with him the reports of corrup-
ton in connection with the gas
company deal.
Rushing this bill is bad taste.o
he charged.
Senator CARROT asked if it were
true that former Mayor Reginald H.
Sullivan is director of the Citi-
zens Gas Co. Senator Weiss re-
piled that he couldn't answer that
question at this time" CMr. Sulli-
van was named to the post two
weeks ago.
Finally, Senator Wade moved to
make the curb bill a special order
Of business at II tomorrow morn
ing so every Senator could read
the printed bill
He pointed out that the measure
affected every county in the state,
regardless of tie fact that it was
drawn specially for Marion County.
My clients do not propose to
bride the Legislature TO defeat a
bill designed primarily to keep the
Users Gas Co. from supplying In
dianapolis people with the cheapest
gas they've ever had"
Clinton H. Givan, attorney for the
Users Gas Co., whose hackers are
unnamed, had that to say today for
the fight in the Legislature.
I'VE have no money to spend"
Mr.. Givan said, TO buy legislators
to defeat the bill"