The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-05-19

II Stiles Judson, Counsel for
 Rowland Company, Shows that ST Concerns in
 Bridgeport Have Been
 Driven to Manufacture
 Current.
 Expert Witness Offered by
 Monopoly Refuses to An
 swer Questions and His
 Testimony is Practically
 Repudiated by Judiciary
 Committee.
 Cost of Producing Current
 Sold in Bridgeport at II
 Cents Is, In Norwalk, Less
 Than Three Cents-Hart-
 ford Company Charges
 Connecticut Company But
 1A Cents Per Kilo Watt
 Hour-Monopoly Claims
 to Have Made $3O0,OOO In
 Improvements Within
 Two Years = Tax List
 Doesn't Show It.
 'tP1ease, Gentlemen, protect us, the poor weak struggling electric light corporations of Connecticut, from the attacks of these powerful companies that are seeking to in staI block electric lighting plants. Save our pocket-b books and our dividends from the damage which will be done. if you allow them to go ahead in the plans. Do not re- peal this law which restricts the manufacture and sale of electric fty."
 Stripped Of excess verbiage and Adenuded of the tears which Judge A. Beers of this city shed for the widows and orphans whose all would be affected. such was the plea of the electric light interests. at the hearing held in Hartford, yesterday, upon the proposed re-
 of bn statutes.
 The hearing was very like that famous journey of the king of France up and down the hill. The electric light folks. headed by Judge Beers and Attorney Warehouse of New Haven went to the hearing with a company of a dozen or more experts. One, and one only was put upon the witness stand. Under the cross-fire of Attorney Judson, who appeared for the Rowland Dry Goods company in favor of the re- peal of the bill, he became so tangled that he finally refused to continue and tue committee practi- cally swept his testimony aside.
 It was a hun,iliating day for the electric interes s. They had plan ned to smother the sentiment in favor of free and unrestricted manufacture of electricity. They were going to show that it was un- safe and unfair to allow ordinary folks to go into the business even though those folks did not want to use the streets to dispose of their product. Instead they only showed that what they wanted to do was protect themselves in the enjoy ment of their privileges and profits. They admitted they were afraid of competition, that it would force a reduction of rates in certain locali- ties. And they threatened that such a reduction would be made up by an increase in rates in other parts of the towns affected.
 And the experts! When Attorney Tudson got through with the first. lone of the dozen or more others were oolxing for a dose Of the same medi- ine and Judge Beers mercifully- all owed them to remain in their seats md look wise.
 The hearing began with President c. Nettleton of the Derby Gas com ,any as a witness. His company con- fols the electric light plant of Derby, Ansonia, and Shelton. He wanted the
  would encourage competition, re- luce profits of the companies and pre- rent good service. He admitted that he companies would not dare raise prices above the present ones, though ater other speakers announced that uch action would be necessary
 His testimony finished, Attorney Jud- Ion soon made things lively. MT. Net Teton admitted that he feared build ng private plants would result in loss if customers. He refused to answer luestions as to the cost of production IT distribution in Derby: this on ad- rice of Attorney Morehouse. Then At orney Judson asked that his whole estimony be thrown out and there was l hot exchange between counsel. Sen ltor Searls ended it by announcing hat the committee would take Mr. testimony flor what it was yorth'' and asked that the next wit lcss be ,calied.
 Judge B. M. Hough. of the Danbury company, opposed repeal because it would impair the rights of the com ,anies and their capital should be de- ended by the state which had chart red them. Judge D. Ward Northrop if the Middletown company, said the Lct was passed to restrict competition