Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-11-20

In Jersey City has sbeen lowered be-
cause of O. reduction by the Public
Service Gas Company of It's uniform
| charge applying throughout the terri
! tory served by It. The board is adj
vised by an independent and we'll
qualified expert that an attempt to
establish an equitable rate, applicable
to the Hudson division considered in
dependently of other divisions could
not be reasonably expected to result
In lowering the rates now charged In
such division, but that on the con
trary the change in the principle OF
charging now applicable would lead
logically to increases to the majority
of users.
IT would lead also to increases to
all customers of the company in q
number of municipalities now served
at the ninety-cent rate In view of
this posture of affairs II does not
seem to the board that 1t would be
Justified In proceeding, on It's own
| initiative, with a valuation of the
property of the company In the Hud-
son division with the end In view of
dividing the rate into divisional or
municipal units and fixing on this
! basis separate rate for Jersey City.
/ 1t Is far from the intention of the
board to have this statement OF it's
position construed as limiting In any
way the prosecution of any right
within the Jurisdiction of the board
Jersey City may regard itself as pos
sessing. The board is quite willing
to furnish you with a copy of the re-
port of its expert on which its con-
ciusion as stated herein is based II
| 1t Is the opinion of the officials of
Jersey City, after examining the re-
port. that notwithstanding its con-
illusions the city should prosecute be-
fore this board complaint as to the
/ Justice and reasonableness of the
rates charged by the Public Service
Gas Company the board will fix
date for hearing.
1t seems to the board that In this
event, unless 1t is reasonably shown
that its expert has erred in his find
/ ing, and that separation of the
Statewide rate into municipal units
would be In the general public inter-
est, any expense necessary to inven-
tory the property of Public Service
Gas Company in the Hudson di-
vision should be met by The COM
plainants rather than out of the ap-
preparation by the State to this board
This Is particularly so in view of the
fact that the board will take up and
conduct actively on its own initiative
an investigation into the rates
charged by the Public Service Elec-
trio Company for electric current.
Such an investigation was announced
at the time the board announced its
determination to investigate the rea-
sonableness and justice of rates
charged for gas by the Public Serv-
ice Gas Company. 1t has been held
temporarily in allegiance by reason of
the gas inquiry Investigation of
electric rates will reuIljre tho inva,,
tory of the company's properties and
this will necessitate the use of such
funds as the board can spend from
its appropriation for valuing the Pub
lie Service properties. At present 1t
appears to the board that the public
interest will be best served in the
prosecution of the electric inquiry.
and that this should take precedence
over further inquiry on the boards
initiative into the gas rates.
The board is communicating with
your honorable body because the city
of Jersey City would be next in order
Of precedence in an investigation by
the board on its own motion of the
charges for gas In the different d.
visions and municipalities served by
the Public Service Gas Company The
board believes that you are entitled
to a full explanation of the reasons
which lead to the belief that the con-
tinuance of this investigation along
the line originally proposed would not
be to the advantage of the people of
Jersey City but rather to their dis
advantage, and also to the material
disadvantage OF many thousands of
residents in other municipalities.
Very truly yours,
BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITY
COMMISSIONERS.