Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-22

===-A==7Azs@=Az~ western Pennsyl-
vania corporation. was valued at
ssS5,0o0 for rate making purposes.
The company claimed a value of So
o9S,S61. The complainants asserted
that the value was S669,s35.
The company operates in Beaver
county and vicinity and is a consoli-
cation of a number of companies.
Extended hearings were held on the
complaints of Solon c. Thayer and
others and over 1000 pages of testi-
mony were taken together with sew
eral hundred pages OF exhibits. In
the decision of the commission,
which was written by Chairman W.
ID. 3. Ainey, it is held that the COM
pany was overcapitalized and that it
was entitled to an annual return on
Its investments of only S135,950. At
the time of the inquiry the company
had an outstanding capital stock of
S1,O0O,O00 and bonds of s1,06S 900
with notes of S1S4,006. no evidence
being presented OF sales. In the COM
missions decision a seven per cent.
rate of return is allowed, 5000 Civ
en- Tor operation, maintenance, taxes,
etc, and $4,000 for depreciation.
In refusing to allow some items the
decision says: Unfortunately some
utilities have sought to take advant-
age of the reproduction-cost method
or valuation to capitalize for them
selves municipal improvements re-
mote from their own development and
IN which they have not participated.
me penalty they pay is the loss of
public confidence and the unfortun-
ate result thereof is the inevitable re-
hecuon upon utilities as a whole"
The commission found that the
company claimed pipes paid for by
customers as its property and declares
tnat the company failed to sustain its
claim for going value 1t also or
ders that water used by some bor-
oughs for sewer flushing be paid for
because in others served by the COM
pany charge is made and declares
the system of charging for fire service
on the basis of number of fire hyd-
rants for each community is inequit-
able. 1t is also suggested that the
company install meters to prevent
waste and that it prepare new charg-
Many Want LicenSe-Although the
hunting season does not begin for
considerably over a month a brisk
demand for hunters licenses is re-
ported from a number of counties of
the State and in some districts hun
dreds have already been issued. The
State Game Commission authorities
look for an issue which will run
ahead of last year when 262,355 were
put out in addition to almost 500 for
nonresident hunters. The previous
%.
decline last year being due to the in
dustrial activity which prevented
many from hunting.
Electric Co.'S FIght.-Four con-
tests between electric companies for
exclusive rights to territory are
scheduled TO be taken up by the Pub
lie Service Commission Immediately
All are located in the western part
OF the State, involving districts in
Allegheny and Beaver counties.
More Tobacco-Prediction of a
much larger production of tobacco
In Pennsylvania are being made by
the State Bureau of Agricultural
Statistics from reports received from
the various counties of the State,
growing having been undertaken in
new districts. Last year the total area
devoted to tobacco was $500 acres
and the production about 45,675,O00
pounds.
Compensation Rules-The Work
mems Compensation Board has ruled
that claimants who file petitions and
who fail to follow up such cases shall
have the right to file a second petit
ton, but it will not be considered un-
less the costs in the first proceeding
have been paid. When a defendant
fails to appear after timely notice the
hearing is TO proceed.
Cooperation Pian-Plahs for CO.
operation between the State Depart
ments of State Police and Fire Mar
shall have been completed and here
after the State Police will be called
upon TO assist the deputy marshals in
their Investigations of fires. The ar
rangement was worked out this week
by Fire Marshal G.. Chal Port and
Deputy Superintendent G. F. Lumb,
of the State Police and it is expected
that the handicap which has existed
because of the small force of the Fire
Marshaps Office will be overcome
The troopers will Immediately un-
dertake some Investigations in cen
trail counties in conjunction with the
marshaFs force. The State Insur-
ance Department is also working with
the Fire Marshars Office IN a number
of cases.
State Police will also work with the
State forest wardens in the coming
autumn in running down persons re-
sponsible for fires in the woods.
Cost Apportioned. - The Pennsyl-
vania Public Service Commission in a
general order issued in the application
OF the East Erie Commercial railroad
has directed the construction of an
undergrade crossing by the railroad
which will abolish two dangerous
grade crossings known as Six Mile
Creek" and 'Parke's" crossings and
has apportioned the cost of the oper-
alton among railroads affected. The
East Erie company is to do the work
which is to cost 1000 and will bear
S11,500 of the cost. The New York
Central Railroad will pay s32,500;
New York. Chicago and St. Louis rail-
road s11,500; State of Pennsylvania
fected; Erie county $4,000 and Har-
$4,000 because of a State highway af-
borcreek township. Erie county ST.
500. An order relative to the reloca-
ton fthe tracks of the Buffalo and
Lake Erie company is to be made
when the work is completed.
Must Pay Lower Prices. - The State
Economy and Efficiency commission is
taking steps to secure provision at
lower prices 70 rthe State institutions
and as result of its recent Inquiries
1t has secured promises to furnish sup
plies at favorable rates to the State
Institutions will be required to buy at
such prices or managers may be sur
charged.
Must Stop Extensions. - Commits
) Nsioner of Health Dixon last night or
dered the Lehigh Valley railroad to
discontinue children's excursions TO
and from New York and this State
because of infantile paralysis. This
Is the first time such action has been
taken.
Surface Holds Fort. State Zoolo-
gist Surface was still holding the fort
to-day and his friends were lombard