The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-01-26

some cases perhaps not enough cleo
tricity would be used to pay the ex-
penses caused by the maintenance of
the plant sufficient to furnish this
small amount of current, and it is
manlfestly unfair to compel the other
consumers TO make up this loss.
Some suggestions have been made to the
effect that the services charge idea was a
new invention. This is not the case, as it
is in use in many other localities and espec-
tally places such as Tuxedo. where con-
ditions similar to those in Morristown ex-
list.
An analysis of the whole situation which
we have made shows as that if the rates
were raised to a point sufficient to properly
finance the Company considerably more
than one-half of our seven hundred con
sumers would be effected more seriously
than will be the case if the service charge
is maintained and since the greatest good
to the greatest number ought to be the
test of fairness, we believe that the meth
cd which we have adopted is the proper
one
VII, AS Co the way In which the SER
vice charge will effect the individual
consumer.
Here again we recognize that some of the
criticisms which have been made are at
first sight fair because apparently we did
not make clear in our original circular the
exact effect which this service charge will
have.
We will endeavor to explain the charge
as follows
The service charge is based on the size
of the transformer through which the cur
rent passes to the consumer. Where sew
eral consumers are fed through the same
transformer it is divided proportionately.
The size of the transformer is figured pto-
portionately to the number of installations
of lights, motors and other appliances of
any consumer; but transformers for resi-
dences and stores are estimated different
| ly, because as rule installations in stores
are made with the idea of using all of the
| lights at the same time, whereas only q
certain maximum will be used in resi-
dence at any one time
To illustrator Suppose residence
had 80 sixteen candle power lights-40
would be considered as maximum, and at
the rate of 20, l6 c. %. lights to the Kilo-
| watt the transformer would have to be Of a
| 2 X. W. capacity.
Referring to the scale of charges as
| shown on our contract forms. it will be
seen that the charge for this residence
would be 80 25 per month, or S27 per year.
Now if this consumer in year used 800
worth of electricity at our current rate of
10c per X. W. FL. the total cost, including
service charge, would be $127--or the ulti
mate cost rate would be .1270c per X. W
| H.. anu Oh COURSE ID0 more current con-
sumed the lower the ultimate cost rate
would be for the service charge remains
| the same.
If store had 50. l6 c. p. lights the trans
formers would have to be. as already ex-
! planned. of az K. W. capacity. and the
charge $2.75 per month or $3S per year
| The power service charge is made upon
the same principle.
| We have given our consumers the alter
native of Is cent fat rate for lighting
! and 10 cents for power, If there is any in
formation desired it will be gladly furnish
! ed at our Office.
| We are glad to be able to saw that since
these contracts have been issued there has
been remarkable change in public opin-
| ion as to the fairness of this service charge
A number of those who had previously
made strenuous objection to it now con-
cede that it is entirely proper.
attitude.
In conclusion we wish to say to the citi-
zens of Morristown:
FIRsT: That this company was organ
lied with the idea of giving the best pos
sible service at the lowest practicable
1 rates.
1t has never departed and does not pro-
| pose to depart from this idea.
! SECOND; The measure of success which
we shall attain will be largely dependent
| upon the heartiness of the financial sup
| port Wnion We tecoiVe. AS every citizen
is interested in the subject of good licht
4 ing. we believe that it is TO his personal
advantage as well as to that of the Com
pany, to take an interest in the Oompanyss
finances and to become one Of its stock
holders.
1 THIRD: Our policy has been and always
will be one OF absolute fairness to Morris
town and its citizens. We have no reason
to be ashamed of anything that We have
done, and we do not propose to have any
such reason. We have nothing to conceal
as to the past and do not intend to have
anything 70 conceal as to the future. We
will keep the public informed from time