The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-30
FOR CITY LIGHTING PLANT,
.SAEA
REPORT or STEVENS COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS II.


10 supervise All Lighting Companies
ALBIxY April sa-ITba fonoAing ara the
conclusions and Recommendations Of the
report Of the Stevens New York City
Lighting Investi eating Committee:
PRICE or GAS, PREssURB AID QUALITY
From the evidence which has been pre-
sentsd we are satisfied that a price Of IS
cents per 900 cubic feet will be fair TO the
consumer, and will AFFORD 10 Ia companies,
after allowing the proper cost Tor manu-
facttire and distribution, taking into con-
Alteration all the elements OF such cost, a
reasonable return upon their capital IN
vestrhent In their gas making business
This applies 70 the borough OF Manhattan,
the borough Of Brooklyn and a large part
~ the borough of The Bronx. In our
opinlon il would not be just 70 make such
a rate applicable 70 the more sparsely
settled section Of the city Of New York, IN
which owing 10 the local conditions the
cost OF manufacture and distribution Is
necessarily higher,
The investigation has shown clearly that
by increasing the pressure qualty OF gas
poorar than the standard required by
law may be made TO furnish required ue-
sree of Illumination, thus entalling Increased
consumption at an increased cost 10 the
consuner. In order that the consumer
NAV benefit by the reduction Of the price OF
Gas. It Is important that the degree OF
pressure should be effectively regulated
The evidence has also shown that there
Il at present no official inspection IN any
borough Of the city except Manhattan,
and ttat the inspection in the last named
borough Is too infrequeut to be adequate.
Provision should be made for system
Of inspection insurine a supply OF pure gas
in accordance with the legal standard and
its accurate measurement at the meter
This inspection should DO made by officials
Of the city at the oity's expense
PRICE OF ELECTRIC CURRENT.
We are also satisfied that electric current
can be furnished for light, heat and power
burposes at q maximum price OF 10 cents
per (dlovatt hour for the current actually
consumed. and that this rate viii permit
a proper return 10 the companies, over and
above all elements Of cost, upon their actual
Investments in the business. We also think
that there should be an adequate system
Of INSPECTION, particularly Of meters, 30 as
10 assure charge only for the actual current
furnished.
MUNICIPAL 1IGHTISG. 81
At the tine the resolution for this inves-
tigation vas nj rochibed h the SepAte che
fact that contracts had been signed TOT
municipal lighting for 1904 had but recently
become public. Since that time the action
Of the Commissioners in signing the oon-
tracts has been disapproved, and the city
has taken the position that the contracts
are not binding upon it,.
IL has also refused 20 accept the bids at
similar prices for the year 1895. The ques-
ton Of the city's liability for lights fur
nished in the years 1908 and 1904 is now
before the courts. In our Judgment there
is nothing, 30 far as the past is concerned,
requiring legislative action.
AZ TO the future the price 70 be paid for
EesliGhts may properly be leftto the action
Of the city'g Officers, u. ..-..-.-.... -
Wit, regard to the electric current for
arc lamps however, we are OF the opinion
that the price per lamp OF the enclosed
arc lamps for street lighting OF
1000 candle power consuming at the
arc $50 watts OF electric current, should not
exceed 500 per lamp per year, and that the
suspended from a single post and consuming
each $50 watts at the arc, should not exceed
SOS each per lamp per year.
WATER POWER F0E nEcTH1o LIoHTuSO.
We are also Of the opinion that the city
should be given authority 10 utilize water
power, now owned OF hereafter acquired
by II, for the purpose Of generating cleo
trio current for the use Of the municipality,
provided that DO additional water shall
be used for said purposes than would
We are advised that there will be no diff
Guilty IN utihd q the winter power Of the
city for the purpose Of generating electric
current for it, use without increasing the
total consumption OF water by the CITY
FRANCHIsEs.
As has been noted, serious questions are
presented as TO the extent 70 which the com
panies are entitled 70 use the streets Of the
city. This Is o matter psculiafly within the
control Of the city authorities and the va
lidity Of the franchises that are claimed
is a subject for judicial determination. No
action by the Legislature is recomneDded,
as the laws already in force, II properly
invoked by the local authorities, are ade-
quate tomeet the demands Of the situation.
SUPERVISOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE COR
PoRATIoNs.
II Is manifest that the conditions dis
CLOSED by the testimony make It necessary
that the operations Of companies supplying
gas and electricity, as well as those engaged
in other public service, should be the subject
Of constant and effective supervision by a
body paid by the State and clothed with
power TO execute its orders SUBJECT 70
suitable review by the courts upon appeal
The gross abuse 81 legal privilege In oyer
capitalization and in Che manipulation Of
SECURITIES for the purpose o. uni.
flying control and eliminating al
r
that there can be no effective remedy by
'esneral Legislation or through ordinary
legal .pro0ee, ings, and that for the pro
(sction Of the public there should be
created a commission with inquisitoriaI
authority, competent TO make summary
inyesti "a tons % complaints to- supervise
issues OF securities and investments in the
stocks end bonds Of other companies u
regulate rates and to secure adequate in
ERECTION and othsrIise 10 ehf6ree the pro-
visions Of law.
The history OF the subway companies
affords an apt illust ration 81 lhe futility
OF carefully phrased contracts executed In
puTsuance OF express legislation An the
Absence 81 an effective scheme Tor regula
.biou. & IS Dtg3 'I' .lI a.. ......
The failure OF general provisions pro.
hibitinR the consolidation OF Corporations
Ia conspicuously shown 10y the manner in
which the provisions OF the charter Of the
New York Mutual Gas Light Company
and the act Of 1886 regarding she SiandRTd
Gas Light Company have been evaded.
The investment OF millions 10 securities
aafhing no dividends and intrinsically
yEorthless. solely Cor the pup0se Of secur-
ingmOnopoiy control, points TO the necessity
Of strict supervision in this regardr
The plan Of providing a Commission paid
by the state and invested with ample power
has worked most satisfactorily In Other