Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-13
rent consumed In excess Of $50 kilowatt
hours monthly shall not exceed the
rates now In force,

rent consumed In excess Of $50 kilowatt
hours monthly shall not exceed the
rates now In force.
Details Of Reduction Ordered.
THAT the annual rates for street
lamps maintained by tho respondent
indicated in the following table:
Proposed
Present annual rate
annual rate. per lamp.
lamps on overhead wires. $500 $3.50
6o-candlepower incandescent
1oo-ean s eD unae inesndeseens . 800
lamps on underground wires $500 ~"
lamps on underground wires $3.50 sass
4ampera magnetic arc lamps .xor
s on 1nasrzF0s.d a,s xiss'. arc 7s'o 90
lamps on underground wires $3.50 $40
That where other forms Of electric
street lighting than those named aoose
shall be furnished, and where the rates
emit legal payment of eleven per cent
per annum of the cost to the respon-
dent company OF furnishing ana instaIl-
Ing lamps, posts, street desl snatlons,
fixtures and the cable from lamps 70
the nearest point Of current supply and
a fair sum for the cost Of maintenance,
the rate to be charged by the respond
emit company for current consumed IN
said lamps shall not exceed "a cents
per kflowatt hour.
That these changes and reductions
shall take effect August 1, 1917.
THAT the Potomac Electric Power
Company, on or before July 81, 1917,
shall file with this commission COM
plete revised schedules OF all It's rates,
tolls. charges, etc, conforming to the
changes and reductions required by the
terms of this order"
President C. P. Kings Statement.
Clarence P. King. president Of the Po-
tomac Electric Power Company, made
this statement regarding the case:
Until we have had time to carefully
consider the commissions order it is
impossible to state exactly what course
of action we shall pursue. In view OF
the abnormal conditions now existing,
with the prices of coal and other sup.
plies rising by leaps and bounds and
prised at the drastic reduction of rates
ordered by the commission. 1t seems
to US a remarkable order at time
when the interstate commerce COM
mission and many state commfsstons
are permitting rates to be increased
because of the present unusual condi-
lions.
1T is the opinion of tie company that
no reduction In rates OF the Potomac
Electric Power Company should be
and until consideration can be given to
the question of whether the present
rate of fare for the railways is ade-
quate, In view Of all costs OF operation
increasing so rapidly.
THE I per cent rate of return fixed
by the commission is inadequate to at
tract the necessary capital to provide
for future extensions. additions and
improvements that must be made II the
public utilities of Washington are to
keep pace with the growth OF the city
1.-THE valuation fixed by the commission
Is entirely too low. being based upon the
low prices Of 1914 and the commission
having failed to include in It's valuation
many items that should have been given
consideration and have been allowed by
other commissions and the courts.
The commission has failed to avail it.
self Of the opportunity as provided In
the public utilities act. to apply to the
courts for definite instructions as to
what elements should be considered in
arriving at fair valuation. and the
company. therefore. feels that before
any rates are based upon this valuation
There is nothing in the relations
Company and the Washington Railway and
to the interests Of the public Of Wash
ington. either as consumers Of electric
light and power or as patrons Of the
On the contrary, the relations
that exist between these companies
have been mutually beneficial to the
public and the companies and were au-
thorfzed by Con1reas