New-York tribune., 1907-01-09
ELLISON BEGINS HUNT
Trying to Recover S3,6OO,OOO from
City's Lighting Companies.

Some time ago Corporation Counsel Ellison
thought that working on a decision handed down
by the Supreme Court in Brooklyn, he could re-
cover about S3,60O000 from the companies fur
nishing light to the city. He was led to believe
they had discriTinated against the city. The
representatives of these companies were invited
to see him yesterday and tell their side of the
story. The New York Edison Company sent
representatives., but the only other persons at
the hearing besides the Corporation Counsel
Commissioner OBrien of the Department
Of Water Supply. Gas and Electricity and Frank
Hervey and Mr. Kimball from the Controllers
office
Arthur Williams, representing the Edison
company said his company had furnished to the
city during 1906 I575,000 kowatt hours of cleo
trictty for lighting purposes, sent to 14S build
ings, and costing the city $117 ,209. If the COM
pany had furnished that light to the city at the
regular rates 1t would have cost New York $14S,-
214. Thus, he said. the city saved $S1,064. He
held that the legal rate had been fixed by the
Legislature at 10 cents, but he also said his
company gave the city a cheaper rate
Why" asked Mr.. Ellison.
Well" said Mr.. Williams, 1--WE feel under a
moral obligation to do something for the city
and the company does render the city on the
whole light at perhaps a lower rate than the
general one"
Kind of philanthropy?" asked Mr., Ellison
NO. I wouldn't like to call It that, but we
think the company ought to do something for
the city"
Mr.. Williams declared that the company only
went below the rates the city was getting under
certain kinds of contracts.
Then the company does discriminate ?" asked
Mr.. Ellison.
MIR. Williams protested against calling it dis
criminatton, but said the company furnished
nght under other circumstances TO private COM
panies. He said differentials were justified az
the company had TO furnish light and current
at all times and at a moments notice under all
circumstances and that railroads Disseminated
In that way. as did the PostofiiCe and other
terprises.
we supply some customers" said Mr. Will
iams, 'at rate OF 10 cents a kilOwatt hour
when the cost 10 us is 81 a kilowatt hour. We
furnish light to the city for IA cents, though
the Legislature fixed the rate at 10 cents"
What IS the lowest rate your company
charges?" asked Mr.. Ellison.
Three cents to five cents "A kilowatt hour"
replied Mr.. Williams Five cents TO custom
ers who guarantee to use s. 600 worth Then
the next S4.JOO worth at ~ cents. then the
next $4,000 worth at / cents. and the next
step. or less than $4,000 worth. at 81: cents.
fhe next step. or all in excess Of $4,000. at
cents"
Doesn't your company give any rebates?"
asked Mr.. Ellison.
Absolutely none" answered Mr. Williams
Mr.. Williams explained that there were con-
tracts by which n concern consumer might
agree to take certain number OF dollars worth
Of current "A year. and If 1t did not use so much
or used more credit. in current. but not In dol
lars. would be given or deducted.
williams
The representative cited instances to show
that some companies were charged more than
the city. He said his company opposed TO
rebates and would make contracts where they
had TO be taken into consideration. Mr. Williams
said IL his company had overcharged the city IL
ready TO refund. Mr.. Ellison said he would
carefully Investigate.