Evening journal., 1913-04-15
STREET DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY
REFUSE TO GRANT ELECTRIC LIGHT
FRANCHISE TO PEOPLES COMPANY

ters OF public Importance. and hav-
ing a strong desire to prevent unregu-
lated monopoly using It's power 10
overcharge the citizens OF Whining
ton. we address this communication
10 you at this moment because Of the
active consideration you are now Civ
ing 70 the question OF granting a.
new franchise for electric lighting
privileges.
we find great uncertainty Ia the
minds of n large number of the citi-
zene OF this city as to what is right
and fair, but there ie an almost uni
versal belief throughout the COM
munity that the present electric light
ing and power monopoly is taking un-
due advantage of ite position, and
charging higher rates than are neces-
sary 10 support efficiency Of service.
development of properties and fair
return on the actual investment
I'VE are not sufficiently Informed,
and We cannot End anybody in the
city who seems TO be, to answer the
all important questions:
"First-What is a reasonable rate
10 charge for electric service under
conditions similar to those prevailing
In this city?
Second Cannot the strip tickets
he restored on the trolley lines or
the Wilmington and Philadelphia
Traction Company without reducing
its earnings and dividends on that
portion OF It's securities representing
intrinsic worth? a little water may
be a healty condition 20 aid growth.
An excessive amount of water browns
THE citizens Cf Wilmington want
10 know, and In our estimation have
perfect right to know. all OF the
facts I'm this situation, and we re-
speotfuiiy suggest 10 your commis-
sion that accurate information I'm an
swer TO the following questions
should FIRST be fully presented
through the newspapers OF this city
before you decide with respect to
vetoing or approving the new franz
chise under consideration
"1f correct information IN answer
to the following questions is not now
In your possession. We believe that
the proper city department could we'll
afford to appropriate $1,000 or $500
10 securing accurate and disinterest-
ed answers on these lines
"First--What Is the present range
OF rates charged by the Wilmington
& Philadelphia Traction Company for
/ large. medium and small consumers
OF light and power?
"Second.--What is the average rata
per kilowatt hour now being received
by the Wilmington & Philadelphia
Traction Company for all its power
and light salos7
Third What is tho range OF rates
as asked in question No. l. covering
AT least afteen cities IN the Unite'
\ states taken At random with popuia
I ton approximating that OF Whining
: ton. and With conditions rs 20 costs o
fuel and other elements ~ nearl'
similar as posslble7
"Fourth-What Is tho average ratl
received by the power companies foi
all Of their power IN these flfteer
cities, as defined IN question No. 2?
Fifth What are the conditions "a
TO regulated or unregulated mono
poly or competition existing I'm thesl
other cities
sixth What are the earnings o
tho light and power departments j.
Wilmington and In these other citie
after charging all operation an'
maintenance expenses. but before set
ting aside interest on bonds or diyi
dends on stock?
Seventh Where possible TO segre
gate the total capitalization md in
debtedness az par value applicable Il
tho electric lighting and power difi
sions OF these various compan.cs
what do they show?
Eighth Where possible 10 secure
such segregation for comparison
what does this market value or sucl
securities show?
Ninth What is a fair and approx
mate valuation that disiutcrestel
expert would make. after a few day
superficial inspection OF all me prop
critics. used and unused, the numne
OF miles Of track. the number or GERS
power plants, wiring circuits, etc
owned by the Wilmington and Phua
I delphia Traction Company?
"Tenth--What should be a fair al
lowance 70 make TO the Wilmington
Z and Philadelphia Traction Compan
! for the purchase or absorption Of Of
franchises now dead the burden q
Continued On Second Page