Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1917 — LEE WILL HUNT A NEW JOB [ARTICLE]

LEE WILL HUNT A NEW JOB

Governor Goodrich Removes Public Service Commissioner on Charge of Incompetence. Edwin M. Lee was removed as a public service commissioner Monday by Governor Good rich, foUowing —ahearing last week. Lee has declared, however, that >he case will .have to be decided in court. His successor has not yet been named by Mr. Goodrich. The statement of Lee follows: “The declaration of Mr. Goodrich at the time of my appointment that he would throw me off the public service commission, his statement when demanding my resignation .that he had offered my place to another man and his subsequent threats of prosecution precluded any hope of a fair and just conclusion. Therefore I am not surprised at his decision. I will not consider the question settled until it is reviewed and determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.’’ In removing Lee, Governor Goodrich said:'" “Section 2 of the act entitled ‘An act concerning public utilities, creating a public service commission in Indiana, and conferring the powers of the railroad commission on the public service commission,’ contains the following provision: “ ‘Any member of the commission may be removed by the governor for incompetence, neglect of duty or misconduct in office, after notice and a hearing'. “The charge made before me as governor against Mr. Lee in the proceeding in specifications 1 and 2 of she charges filed, is incompetence alone.--“After notice and an appearance by Mr. Lee in person and by counsel and a full hearing had, I find thatthe charge of incompetency made against Mr. Lee in the specification!? named of the charges filed, has been sustained, and that he was at the time of the filing of the said charges before me, and at the time of the hearing thereon, and is now, incompetent to serve in the position as a member of the public service commission of Indiana.” . ~