Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1920 — STATE NEWS ITEMS [ARTICLE]

STATE NEWS ITEMS

iThe Doings of Hoosierdom Reported by Wire. SHOULD HANDLE OWN AFFAIRS Public Service Commission Indicate! Favor of Home Rule in Deciding Appeal Made by City of Laporte. Indianapolis, June 4. —What amounts Ito a declaration of attitude by the public service commission on the questiota of city or commission jurisdiction over extensions by a public utility is contained in an order the commission has issued in a ease brought by the city of Laporte. The commission dismissed for want of jurisdiction the city’s petition that it require the Laporte Gas and Electric company to show cause why the company falls to serve all the citizens of Laporte. The commission ruled that if the city of Laporte desires the relief sought, “it may, by ordinance or resolution, order and direct the Laporte Gas and Electric company to make the desired additions and extensions” and continues that “if it believes the requirements unreasonable the company may appeal to the cornanission.” Commissioner Paul R. Haynes in writing the order in the case had in mind the laying down of a policy that the commission in passing on his proposal might adopt as its fixed one regarding the extensions and additions problem. He wrote in the order: “The commission has no authority under section 73 of the public [Service commission act to assume original jurisdiction over additions and extensions of public utilities, and its jurisdiction in the matte- ’« confined to a

review on appeal, under section 110, ot the orders of municipal councils requiring extensions, or the failure of municipal councils to pennit extensions prayed for by the utility.”

Students Take Ephebic Oath. Evansville, June 4.—One of the features of the annual commencement exercises of the Central high school of Evansville to be held Friday evening, June 18, will be the taking of the ephebic oath by all of the graduates. More than 100 seniors will receive diplomas, this being the largest class in the history of the school. William Carleton, president of the class of 1920 and one of the speakers, will preside at the commencement exercises. The ephebic oath follows: “I will not disgrace my sacred weapons nor desert the comrade who is placed at my side. I will fight for things holy and against things profane, whether I am alone or with others. I will hand on my fatherland greater and better than 1 found It. I will hearken to the magistrates and obey the existing laws and those hereafter established by the people. I will not consent unto any that destroys or disobeys the constitution, but prevent him, whether I am alone or with others. I will honor the temples and the religion which my forefathers established. So help me Agraulos, Enyalius, Ares, Zeus, Thales, Auxo Hegemone.”