Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-21

interest paid by a corporation fol
money borrowed is six per cent, the
stockholder ought under normal con
ditions. to be permitted to receive a
higher rate in dividends, If the cor
poration can earn them.
But the rates charged for the serv-
ice ought not to be more than it's rea-
sonable value: and 1t is useless fol-
the corporation to charge rates that
will prevent a normal increase in its
business.
| 1.-THE present case presents much
difficulty in fixing a schedule of rates
difficulty due very largely to the
present and past practices of the re-
spondent. They have been such that
its past experience furnishes an unsat-
isfactory guide for the future. While
the motives Of its managers have I'M
doubtedly been beyond criticism, the
company must suffer to some extent
for their acts
I'VE shall not establish a schedule
Of rates which win net the respond
ent on Its present output so large a
net return as we should permit it to
enjoy under more favorable operat-
ing conditions is, If it's cost of
operation were enough lower or its
output enough larger to produce lar
ger profit on such nrates. If it will
improve these conditions. it will re-
ceive a correspondingly larger net.
revenue. And with the elimination of
vexatious determinations and the es-
Establishment of a reasonable rate for
all purposes there ought to be a
marked improvement in results.
I'VE speak Of this feature Of the
case especially because we do not wish
! this decision to be taken as a pre-
cedent of the rate Of return we should
allow under ordinary circumstances,
either by. promoters of such utilities
or by the public. This case is de-
cided on its own peculiar circum-
stances.
| 1--WE shall make the rate the same
for all uses. We shall. however.
grade it somewhat according to the
|quantity used. This difference should
not be extreme, but there are sub
stantial reasons for some concessions
to larger users.
"The rates recommended by the
compliments are in themselves very
/ llUSIdI, duuJ dIG pIOleSSSuly lIltGUuSG
to afford the respondent a larger ag-
gregate revenue than it now receives.
They are higher than those charged by
any other important gas company in
the state, circumstance which imposes
upon the corporation the burden of
increasing its net return by more skill
full management, or of showing why
it cannot be done.
Tho International Aspect.
"This respondent owns property and
operates both in this State and in the
province of New Brunswick. We have
deemed it equitable to consider 1t as
though entirely within this State so
far as valuation and determination of
revenue and operating expenses are
concerned, and to ordain rates accord
ingly. This has been fully understood
by both parties and not objected J, to.
We do not wish to be understoo&fa as
attempting to fix rates to be charged
In New Brunswick. The ST. Stephen
rates may or may not be uniform with
those charged in Calais. If they are
higher, the Calais consumers are not
injured: if they are lower. the COM
pany must stand the loss. 1t cannot
be considered in deciding whether the
Calais rates are sufficiently high.
| IF change in this situation, or in
any other respect, appears to justify
modification of the following order,
after the new rules have had a fair
trial, either the utility or the public
may have a remedy under appropriate
procedure before this commission.
! n nf
Harold H. Murchie and others, being
more than 10 aggrieved persons. that
the rates, tolls and charges Of the ST.
Croix Gas Light Company for gas dis
tributed and supplied by it for public
use in the city Of Calais are unreason-
able and unjustly discriminatory, the
said ST. Croix Gas Light Co. having
been given notice thereof and not hav-
ing removed said cause of complaint to
the satisfaction of this commission,
within 10 days after the receipt of said
notice, and public hearing having been
had on said complaint after more than
10 days notice of said hearing, and
said complainants and said respondent
having been present at said hearing
and been fully heard, and all the eVi-
dence in the case having been mature
ly considered. it is R
Ordered. adjudged and decreed:
| /. That the rates, tolls and charges
Of the St. Croix Gas Light Co. for gas
distributed and supplied for public use
in the city of Calais are unreasonable
and unjustly discriminatory.
| 2. That said st. Croix Gas Light Co.
discontinue its present rates. tolls and
charges for gas on and after the 31st
day of December, 1916. and substitute
| in place thereof, the following schedule
of rates. tolls and charges. effective on
and after the first day of January, A.
D. 1917, to wit:
For gas for lighting, fuel and neat,
or any Of them, or any combination
thereof, payable monthly,
$500 per thousand cubic feet Tor the
first 1000 cubic feet.
$3.50 per thousand cubic feet Tor the
next 1000 cubic feet.
$3.50 per thousand cubic feet TOT the
next 5000 cubic feet.
$40 per thousand cubic feet Tor an
excess of 10000 cubic feet.
Discount: Ten cents per Thousand
cubic feet If paid within the hrst 10
DAVIS of the calendar month next fol-
lowing the month for which payment
is made.
Minimum charge: Fifty cents per
meter per month.