The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-12-10
Natural Gas Company
Makes Statement

auOn. SO as To satisfy. in a certain
sense. the consumers represented
here. and also be fair TO the commits
sion.
IL was suggested by Governor Glass
cock at the earlier meeting M the
rates would remain imperative, so
FAR as being collected was concerned.
until about the tenth OF this month.
In the hope that possibly some conclu-
sion might be arrived at by that time,
which. OF course. now Is apparently
impossible. That was agreed to and
has been the basis OF the representa-
lives up TO this time. Now. Il was also
suggested by him at that time-and n
good suggestion. too-that In case fur.
Their time was desired Il might be
proper TO allow the company to collect
these rates and deposit the slight in
crease In the particular cases in some
bank. to be returned TO the consumer
in case the advanced rate was not ap-
proved by the Commission: and n II
were approved. retained by the COM
pany. At that time | did not hesitate
to say that / did not like the sugges-
ton-not that IL was not a good one in
ordinary cases; but I did not like II TO
apply In this case. Nothing further
was agreed TO along that line. Now. I
think. We ought 10 arrive at some IN
Outstanding.
IL seems TO me very plain that this
! investigation will have TO 20 over until
after the holidays. We have a great
deal OF work TO do in Charleston next
month. and I understand counsel are
busy and this is not a short matter.
~ We ignore and throw aside the first
blush basis of fixing rates, which we
practically are forced TO do I'm this
case-the matter of capitalization and
matter of first cost and elements OF
that sort-and fall back and accept
the basis OF valuation OF the property,
and give them n fair return, after al
lowing liberal operating expenses and
taking care OF their overhead charges,
IL is evident that this hearing will re-
quire further time. (To Mr.. weil.D
Mr.. Well. have you any suggestions on
behalf OF the company with reference
10 h matter. that parties might pos
sibly approve of during this waiting
period until this Investigation can be
brought to a final conclusion in the
proper way?
MIR. WEIL-Mr. Commissioner. Il
has been apparent to us. in act since
the beginning of the investigation-as
| believe | stated several times-that
II would be absolutely impossible TO
take the testimony that was required
TO intelligently pass upon this ques-
ton in a day or two. and l further
stated that II would require a still
longer time to make the investigation
preparatory to taking the testimony
TO determine the issues and questions
which were being considered by the
] Tna II UnfEainn aggfrnnaA a.l 7 hafgava
the course and conduct OF the Commits
sioner in the taking OF this testimony
has justified that assumption-that
the Commission recognized the import
ance and the solemnity OF its work:
that II realized that IL was no ordinary
] procedure. but that 10 al a matter OF
the supremest importance 10 the State.
10 the reputation OF the Commission.
and TO the community at large. that
this question should be considered. af-
ter all of the light that could be
thrown upon II was obtained. in such
a manner as a Public Service Commits
sion. acting in the capacity OF a tri-
bunal. trying questions OF law and
fact. should have upon so important a
proposition.
Just DEPRESSING for a moment. per.
haps 81 Is not amiss TO say that not
only Is the rate OF the Manufacturers
Light 4 Heat Company on trial here.
but the utility and advantage Of a
public service commission 10 any State
is likewise on trial here. and. in add
ton 20 that-even of more importance
the prosperity and the welfare OF
the whole commonwealth Is involved
in this Investigation.
Under those circumstances. counsel
and commissioners. and all parties.
would certainly be remiss in the con
sideration OF their patriotic obligations
as well as their professional duties II
they did not want To make this inves-
tigation in such a manner that when
n final conclusion VAS reached IL would
be free from any charge OF having
been improperly. hurriedly and incOn-
siderately done.
This is the first important investi-
CATION OF the kind. believe. upon
which this Commission has embarked
in which the testimony has been fully
presented or In which II was intended
that the testimony should be fully pre-
sented. when. in the first instance,
the Manufacturers Light & Heat Com
pany attempted 20 file with the Public
Service Commission its schedule ~
rates. ~ insisted that n was entitled
10 hle them under Section II ~ the
Act. that that was the beginning ~
the jurisdiction Of the Commission.
that n was not required. on tho part
~ the Commission. 20 express either
approval or d|isapproval ~ such SEIZED
ule when fled. that thereafter any
party complaining had the right 20 file
its objections or his objections. and
that ~ was then the duty OF the Com
mission 20 inquire as 10 tho Issue thus
framed and determine the very right
and justice Of the cause. and order &C.
cordinglv.
As stated BY the Commissioner. the
company was ordered 20 nle its sched.
ule under Section o: n was according.
ly so fled. and subsequently. upon our
d application. by the consent Of tho Com.
mission. Withdrawn. the Commission
z being informed a. tho time that r. was
not the purpose to put into effect these
schedules. ne we had originally intend.
Cd. on August hrst. but on November
FIRST and. accordingly. on October
first tho notice by publication was
given ~ tho proposed change in rates.
as required hy our contracts with the
Individual consumers This contro-
verey thrn arose and. 7 believe. with