The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-12

per cent to 15 per cent in the cost of light ing in this particular section. Since, how ever, the lights are probably burned later in this section of the city than in others, 1t is very probable that, taking the city as a whole, the reduction would run from B per cent to 14 per cent in residences. In commercial lighting, conditions are more varied, but the tendency is toward greater average usage of the lights. From abstract considerations, and from the examination of commercial bills, the writer is led to the conclusion that the reduction in commercial lighting will be greater than in residence lighting, and that it will run from 15 per cent to 30 per cent. The writer is further advised that the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company proposes to offer an addi- tional special commercial rate which will be optional with the rate proposed, the customer being allowed the choice of either rate.
 In comparing the new rate proposed by the Birmingham Railway, Light and Pow CT company, with the rates in effect in other cities of the south, the writer has checked the tabulations submitted to you by the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, for the residence install lations and has found the same to be substantially correct. From this tabula. ton 1t would appear that the rate pro- DOSeu IS lOWeT tndn -tiidl III elltCt III iiOSl of the largest southern cities, although such cities as Montgomery, Mobile, Jack sonville and New Orleans have not been given. E
 In conclusion the writer trusts that the above discussion will be of some service to you, and awaits your further orders. Respectfully submitted,
 MARTIN J. LIDE,
 Consulting Engineer.
 Tho Sacopd rennrt follows.
 Hon. James Weatherly, Commissioner,
 City of Birmingham, Ala.
 Sir-This letter Is supplementary to my letter of October 30 with reference to the proposed change in rates by the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, and is in response to your request for a more definite statement in reference to the application of the proposed rate to commercial lighting
 In the writer's report of the 30th the statement was made that the re- duction in the cost of commercial light ing would probably be greater than that in residence lighting, and would probably run from 15 to 30 per cent. At the time the first report was made, the data of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, covering the ap- plication of the rate to commercial lighting, had been taken to New Or leans by the officials of the company, and were therefore not available to the writer for investigation. The writer has since investigated this data care fully, and has to make the following report:
 The Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, as stated in the pre- vious report, proposes to install a spe- cial rate for large commercial users, this rate to be applicable only to those customers whose monthly excess of K. w H. Is 250 K. W. H. or more. It is understood that this special rate will be lower than the rate at present pro- posed. The writer finds that out of a total of 1888 commercial customers, only 156, or about per cent, would be entitled to the special rate; 1782, or 92 per cent, receiving the rate already proposed.
 The writer further finds that this per cent of the total commercial cus- toners, constituting the large users. and receiving the special large con- sumer's rate, consumed about 51 per cent of the commercial K. W. H. out