White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1916-08-11
p. p. & l.. RATE
CASE HEARING

The Public Service commission
hearing of the P. P. & l.. rate case
in North Yakima Wednesday was
for the purpose of taking testimony
on the betterments and improve
ments made on it's system by the
power company since December,
1914, and the net and gross earn
ings of the company since that
time.
The commission has recalled the
decision it made last winter. The
testimony at the hearing Wednes-
day showed that the net earnings
of the power company on its whole
system for the past two years were
less than 6 per cent. The commits
sion says it does not want to make
any rate that it does not feel rea-
sonably sure can be sustained in
the courts, and as the courts have
generally fixed 8 per cent as the
proper percentage public utilities
should earn on their investment,
the prospects of the commission
making any order materially re-
ducing the present rates is ex-
tremely doubtful. This does not
preclude the company, however,
from making some voluntary re-
ductions if it sees fit, and it is poss-
ible that some attempt may be
made along this line in the near
future.
As an indication of the future
policy f the Public Service COM
mission in this state, the following
excerpts are quoted from an inter-
view of the new chairman, E. F.
Blaine, with the Yakima Republic:
"If | had several millions in
vested, can't say that l would be
pleased with returns of less than 6
per cent. Such a showing isn't 60
ing to encourage further develop
ment of the light and power indus
try. which is factor to be con-
sidered.
"Of course it is true that people
in North Yakima may be paying a
large cost, proportionately, but
they are also getting an Indirect
return. The smaller communities
which are jast- starting UP in the
sagebrush sectionzcmnot afford to
pay their share, but they are do
ing something toward developing
North Yakima. This city gets
much of their trade and consider
able prestige from it's commanding
position.
1T is the business of the COM
mission to protect the people. 1t
is also it's business to protect cap
ital and encourage it's investment
in the state. We must strike the
fair balance. | do not know what
it will be, but there is the prob
lem.
REPORTERS all over the state"
he says, with a merry twinkle in
his eye, "are already complaining
because we don't offer them any
excitement. That isn't what the
commission is for. 1t is our bu,i-
ness to safeguard the interests of
the people and the capital invested
in the state. The job is SO big it
takes all our energy.
"Just now, our big ambition is
to clear the docket. We have
number of undecided cases and we
are going to wipe the slate clean
as soon as possible. We can't de-
eide things off-hand or as we
would like to, at times, because
our decisions have to stand the
tests of the courts. That's quite
drawback for snap work.
"This commission is going to at
tend strictly to business. We will
hold the needed hearings and make
our decisions, and there won't be
any politics or any needless delays.
"This state would experience a
decided boom if we could once be
assured that the day of freak leg
islation is passed. There are many
opportunities for investment.
There is a vast amount of East
ern capital which is idle. Look
at the bank reserve figures! That
capital is seeking investment, but
is it coming to this state? 1t is
not.