The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-01
IN A MUDDLE.
Edison Company and City Council
Have Rate Controversy.


Claiming that it has the right un-
der the clause of its franchise which
permits it TO make all reasena bic
rules and regulations the Edison Elec-
trio Illuminating company is trying
to enforce a minimum rate of 81 per
horse power per month for all motor
installations between one and twenty
horse power.
The company set up this unique
claim through its attorney before the
gas and electric lights committee last
night.
w J. Whittekind, a contractor, reg
istered a complaint with the city
council against the charge OF the
Edison company for small power
users those with installations from
one horse to twenty horse power
Whittekind asserted that the charge
was in conflict with the franchise
charge for power. The committee
took up this complaint with c. r.
Maunsen and 7. F. Doran, represent
ing the Edison company. Present at
the committee were also Councilmen
Holiday and Simms of the council
committee and Mayor w. H. Davis and
f. G. Dreaming, city attorney.
How the company is able to inter
pret the right to change and adjust
its rates under this clause is perplex-
ing the council The rates for power
have been definitely established in the
franchise of the company at 6 cents
per thousand watt hours, except pow
er for electric elevators for which the
maximum rate shall be 8 cents per
thousand watt hours.
I have never heard of a less logical
claim said City Attorney Dreaming
! this morning. why, if we are to al
| low their claim it would mean that the
franchise which we granted them is
not worth the paper it is written on.
l can't conceive of how they can in
terpret rates into a clause which has
SIMPLY TO do with rules and regula-
| tlons. They set up the claim that this
/ city must guarantee them an income
of ten per cent That's a ridiculous
assertion. On the same plan the gov
ernment would have to assume pa
| ternal attitude and guarantee to every
| laboring man position which would
net him ten per cent on his capital of
Drawn.
There are four different cases that
/ know of where the company has in
force this rate for power. This White
kind case is only one of them, they are
| all similar.
Hardly has the ink dried upon their
/ franchise before the company attempts
| to whip around its provisions. The
! clause to which they refer states that
/ the, Said the Edison Electric Illumin-
| ating company of Topeka, its successors
! or assigns, shall have the right to make
! all reasonable rules and regulations for
/ the prevention of loss or waste in the
conduct and MANAGEMENT Of its bust
| ness and for the sale and distribution
/ of its products to its customers as may
| from time to time be deemed necessary.
mot a word is said in this about
rates. We passed this franchise and
/ cut down the price of electricity in or
! DER to get more reasonable rates and to
/ cut down on some of the big profits that
| this company is making. Now they
/ come and try to claim that we must
assure them an income of 10 per cent.
! There is not another corporation in the
/ city which comes to US and makes this
! statement. The gas company does not
make that assertion. They reduced vol
UNFAIRLY the price of their gas though
! the franchise permitted them to charge
/ a higher rate. Why the one company
I should be treated on so different plan
! from the other I can't understand.
/ presume that they thought they were
/ quite clever in introducing this clause
/ of rules and regulations figuring that
i they could change their rates to suit
I themselves under its provisions but there
I is not a court in the land which will
sustain the contention which they try
1 to set W.
y don't believe that the council will
! back up the company in the stand that
! they have taken. In either case wheth-
/ er they do or not 1 look for lively
/ time in the council when the matter
/ comes before them
The gas and electric lights committee
I took the complaint of Whittekind under
J consideration and viii report at the next
I council meeting.