The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-12-10

der the new rate,
MR. WElI~Yes. sir.
uDG WiLL1S-Suppose that the
Commission should decide that the old
rates were In excess Of what was
right and justifable. would you also
promise to refund to the consumer the
excess amount that has been paid
you?
MR.. WEiL~Below the old rate,
JUDGE WILLlS-Yes. sir.
NIX WEIL~No. I don't believe We
would.
COMMISSIONER OGDEN-I don't
believe We would require that. any
how. There has got to be a base line
10 start this case from somewhere,
and that base line was fixed by the
act as the twenty-first day OF May.
CTo counsel.) What do you think.
Judge Nesbitt and Mr.. Sommerville, Of
this proposition?
JUDGE NESBITT-I would say, II
Your Honor please. that the last prop
osition suggested by Mr.. Well seems
TO us TO be a fair one. We realize that
no matter how strongly we feel that
we Will ultimately be able To- show
that we are entitled not only TO have
the gas companies forbidden TO make
the proposed increase. but that we
VIII be able TO show that We are enti-
tied TO a decrease. We realize. as I
said. hat Notwithstanding We feel
strongly on that matter. we are not
at this time in position to Justly ask
FOR a final ruling. even as 10 the mat
ter OF the increase. We feel. on the
other hand. that these companies are
not in a position to claim that they
have shown to the Commission a ease
which would Justify the Commission
in authorizing them TO make the pro-
posed increase. We are simply In the
midst OF an inquiry which has not yet
been pursued far enough to reach any
conclusion. and we feel that the sug-
gestion made by Mr.. Well is a good
one. and is acceptable and should be
accepted by all OF us. with the dis
tinct understanding that those whom
we represent are not to be understood
as in any way yielding or abandoning
the claim. which we have made from
the outset. that the rates are at pres
ent too high. and without intending
to abandon or waive any rights which
we may have to bring about, II we can.
a decrease in the rates, We are ready
to accept the proposition.
MN. r.. l.. nat III
cludes all?
JUDGE NESBITT-I am speaking
now as the m%outhpiece of all the
sci present representing the consum-
ers-all the interests which have ap-
peared.
COMMISSIONER OGDEN want
10 express my personal pleasure at
this agreement. because | hesitated
vary naurh 80 EnAnT uhnf 20 nrAnnGa
or suggest so as to preserve the tech
nical rights which Mr.. We'll Is so firm
ly insisting upon here. and so con
stantly insisting upon. He has raised
two or three problems as To the situa-
ton OF his company which he makes
il compulsory upon us TO settle. at
least to our satisfaction. some of these
days. I am sorry they are in the
case. on our own account. but he has
brought them in II seems his com
pany has made n possible To raise
these questions. and he is responsible
for the delay 10 hat eXtent. IT this
was a local company. having no inter
ests except in Wheeling or New Mar
|tinsville. We might dispose OF IL in
two weeks or thirty days: but this in
terstate question of this octopus. with
eight branches in other States. has in
volved other questions as To the unity
of use rule and other things as TO
which he will have TO convince us he
is right p o
As 10 the other branch-as to di-
viding the territory do not hesitate
to say that that theory is n proper
one. because while the Commission is
ready TO settle the proposition before
IL. and even to start an investigation
on its own motion. M TO this hour.
and after some months OF publicity
about this matter. no DIRECTORS from
north OF the Ohio county line seem TO
have cared enough for their personal
interests in the matter TO come here
and state their objections. take IL
that consumers who do not sufficiently
interest themselves in making objec-
tions to these rates TO come here n
make their interests known TO this
Commission. which is trying TO con
duct this Investigation in their inter
ests. primarily. a. consumers. must be
satisfied. at least in part. with the
rates proposed. Therefore. ! have no
hesitation in approving the territorial
division. AT least at his time. | do
not believe our citizens In the counties
OF Brooke and Hancock who have
failed 10 come here and state their
objections. ought TO complain that the
Commission or anyone else have been
remiss In not treating them in the
same way they have been treated
by this order. or by the generosity OF
the company. 50 to speak. in agreeing
TO the plain fact. which Is that cOndi-
lions south OF that line are different.
not only as to the objector. hut DIFF
ferent as 10 the source OF supply. for
that. no doubt. entered into this under
standing.
Now. what is tho pleasure OF the
gentlemen about resuming this inves-
tiCation2 7 would have to begin some
time I'm January. Consult your own
assignments q little bit. When YOU do
begin. YOU will have some further in
formation derived from m investiga-
ton Of this company's large amount
Of documentary matter But the noXt
time 7 will charge our experts 90 be
sure 90 get authentic documents. or
NJ least documents that You admit are
plainly authentic. W. do not care to
have documents treated as authentic
unless 40 admitted And let other in
-vestieatious be prosecuted meanwhile.
and az them the company shall have
full notice
Tho hearing was then adjourned un-