Norwich bulletin., 1916-07-15
INTERESTS OF WESTERLY
Samuel c. Mitchell, Oldest Member of Buong Post Active
at9O-Lightnng Strikes Cupoa at Power Plant During
Thursdays Storr1-Frar l. Frrnesss Brother Drowned
in Canoeing Accident at Madison.

pany, as proposed means a loss Of
$1,000 to the company, but this change
was. intended when the Westerly COM
pany was taken over. Mr.. Ldsle want
ed it understood that the reduction
Of rate from IA to ~ cents is the re-
duCtion that was based on bringing
the service from Providence, and that
it did not mean more reduction when
the pole line was installed and the
service here.
President Flynn asked if a reduc-
ton in the gas rate had been awarded.
Mr. Lisle replied that he had not the
time to go into the gas question; but
did not think there would be much, if
any reduction, as 1t would not be feas-
ible to build a pipe line from Provi-
dence. He had no written proposition
to offer the council in regard to the
electric light rates, but said he would
prepare a report, enbOdying what he
had said and present it to the council.
Frank w Coy asked: If there is to
be a, minimum charge, why not make
it annual instead of monthly?
Mr.. Gray, of the Narragansett com
pany, made reply that experience and
investigation of 124 cities, with pop
uIatiCns Of over 10000, only IS cities
were on a monthly minimum basis,
and this rule was approved by the
commissioners and courts Of nearly
all the states.
Mr.. Coy could see no reason why
there should be a minimum rate in
Westerly that is higher than is charg-
ed in other places served by this COM
pany.
Mr.. Gray said there is no minimum
charge in Providence and never had
been, and places near Providence
charged less than in Westerly, and if
Westerly was near Providence there
would be no apparent discrimination.
Mr.. Coy said he had no objection
to the gentlemen getting all the mon
ey they can for their product, but
why a minimum monthly rate, and
not yearly minimum. The summer
residents use the product in the dull
season and should derive some bene-
fit for that reason and no other. He
could see no reason why Mr.. Buffum
or Mr.. Butler should be charged one
rate in Westerly village and an in
creased rate for like service at their
summer homes all in the same town.
Mr.. LisIe explained that there were
practically two different services. that
is, the same wires, pole lines and cost
of maintenance are separate, and if
extra rate was not charged for short
time service it would be a losing prop
OsitiOn. To do this summer business
on a yearly minimum basis would
mean a loss to the company, and there
is no obligation to serve the public
at a loss.
Mr.. Coy asked if the proposed re-
as a fat rate, or was it to be on a
sliding scale as at present?
Mr.. Lisle said the reduced rate
would benefit all if monthly bills were
less than SIS, but would not effect
the large consumers, whose rates
would be increased if they insisted up
on the proposed decrease in rate. The
new rate will benefit so per cent. of
the consumers.
Orlando R. Smith asked if the mat
ter of reducing the rate for power had
been considered. Mr. Lisle said it had
not. and simply for lack Of time: that
feature will be fully investigated. He
said the policy of the company was
to have the lowest prices possible con-
sistent with good service.
Eben s. Stevenson, q summer resi-
dent of the Weekapaug section, asked
that the council do something to stop
automobile speeding on the Post and
Shore roads, and suggested a motor
cycle cop. President Flynn assured
Mr.. Stevenson that the council would
do all that could be done for the en-
forcement Of the laws in regard to
Overspeeding on the public highways