The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-09-17
Tells Y. M. B. G. Committee
He Is Willing to Offer
Lower Water Rates to Pre-
vent Book Probe.
SAYS EXAMINATION
OF BOOKS NOT FAIR
Committee Members Disa-
gree with Him and Vote to
Recommend Council to
Pursue Such Policy.

At meeting OF the water works
committee of the Young Mems Bust.
ness Club last evening, II. A. Dill, su.
perintendent OF the Richmond City
Water Works, appeared and asked a
hearing before the committee. He
charged 1t would be unfair to compel
the company to present its books and
make public certain items. as the city
has demanded.
In presenting the matter to the com
mittee Mr.. Dill stated that he was ap-
pearing before the company on his
own responsibility, and that the direc-
tors Of his company knew nothing
OF the request he had made to the
committee: that they had not had a
meeting since council had voted to
compel the company to bring in its
books, and that anything he might
say was his own personal opinion.
Mr. VIII also said that he had come
before the committee to see II it was
possible to have a better understand
ing OF the company's side of the water
works question, and, II agreeable to
allow the company to present a modi-
ned proposition on a new contract.
Admits unpopuIarity.
sition which the company had present
ed had met with general disfavor,
mostly. he thought, on account of the
Increased rates. These rates, Mr.. Dill
said were decided on SO the city might
share In the earnings of the company,
and as they had been requested or
rather given to understand that the
city wanted that sort of a proposition,
1t was gotten UP to meet the condition.
But, Mr.. Dill said. since presenting
the proposed contract he had found
out that the people did not want such
contract. 80 the company was ready
to make another proposal with lower
rates and eliminating certain objec.
tionable clauses"
The committee explained to Mr. Dill
that they did not think the city was in
D position to reject or accept any prop.
osition or even entertain another one
without first making an examination
into the affairs of the company to de.
actually been invested and what the
earnings Of the company had been
under the present rates. Mr. Dill OBJ
jected to this privilege on the ground
that 1t would be unfair to the company
to make public its secrets and earn.
ings az competitors could take the
figures and use them to the company s
detriment." The committee then en-
planned to Mr.. Dill. that as his COM
pany was a monopoly. and as public
service corporation 1t was the right of
the people to know what amount of
dividends had been paid out of the
money collected from the people on
the present rates Mr.. Dill contended
that the valuation should be based on
the cost or reproduction according to
the Maury and Albert report.
Proposal Turned Down.
The committee has taken the
ground that the valuation of the plant
should be determined before any fur
ther action. and that the company
should present its books and make
public the actual amount of money
Invested, and that reasonable amount
Of depreciation he deducted from that
amount as the actual valuation. On
this valuation the committee contends
that the rates should be made so as to
give a fair return on that valuation
It was with this in view that the com.
mittee made its recommendation to
council last month.
After Mr.. Dilfs statement the com
mittee voted unanimously to not de-
viate from its original proposition. and
to 60 on record to urge the city tc
continue with its plans to make a
thorough examination into the affairs
of the company.