Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-01-01
BOARD CONFRONTED
BY DIFFICULT TASK
Public Utilities Commission
Considering Applications for
Rate Increases.
ATTITUDE OF THE PUBLIC

/ Washington begins the new year mani
Testing an interest in the character and
lcost of public utility service that is with
out parallel in it's history.
I With experts making an investigation
as to what, if anything, can be done to
relieve congestion on street car lines and
the commission considering rate in
crease applications from two corpora
+, tions, important developments affecting
the comfort and pocketbook of every
Washingtonian are looked for in the
next few weeks.
| Judged by the communications that
have reached the utilities commission.
| the public's attitude concerning the
general utility situation Is about as
+, follows:
| It is inclined to withhold criticism of
| the street car companies and let the
survey determine what is responsible
for the congestion and what may re-
| lieve it.
| 1t is willing to let the commission
decide whether the gas company's ap-
plication for a rate increase Is reason
able or otherwise.
| It refuses to concede that there is any
reasonableness in the request OF the
! telephone company and insists that any
! increase in rates should be accompanied
by absolute certainty Of an improve
ment in service.
Arouses Storm Of Protests.
| Complaints against the gas and street
/ ~ lrra nj M
! paratiYely few, but the petition of the
telephone company to charge more for
its service has aroused storm of
protests unprecedented in the history
| Apparently. the public's position is
that while the commission is better
qualified to pass on the question of
rates, citizens should have the say as
| to service, and in the case of the tele-
phone company the almost unanimous
| verdict is that the service is made
quate and should not be charged for at
higher rates than those now obtaining.
The commissions task in passing on
| these applications. it is conceded by
those who are in touch with its work.
/ Is one of the most difficult that has yet
confronted 1t. The companies claims
expenses produced by the war. and they
has submitted data showing that to
continue under existing tariffs would
| involve them in heavy financial loss
next year.
Not only this. but the commission
has information to the effect that COM
missions throughout the country this
year generally have recognized the fact
that utilities have been hard hit by the
war and have extended relief through
rate channels. Out Of 462 applications
for higher rates. increases have been
granted in 401 cases. according to
statistics compiled This is exclusive
| Of street railways. which got eighty
odd fare increases in twenty-three
states and Canada. Gas rates are shown
to have made better progress with in
creases than others. though all utilities,
including municipality owned and ope-
rated plants. have figured in the coun-
try-wfde advance.
First Case to Be Considered.
AS interest in the proposed new teIe-
phone rates appears to exceed that in
any other utility question at the pres
emit time. the commission likely will
get rid Of this matter first. It will
resume Its investigation Friday, when
witnesses OF the company are to be
cross-examined by Conrad H. syme,
After Mr.. Syme finishes. the public
will be given an opportunity to ask
some questions on its own account.
Many representatives of citizens asso-
Citations and other bodies attended the
two-day hearing. when the company
" 40 PAScShehi6 10 ScSSs duO IIdQe cX-
tensive notes for purposes of cross
examination later.
Since the beginning Of the telephone
proceedings. many suggestions for a
practical solution of the problem have
reached the commission from citizens,
but, in the main. the communications
have been couched in general terms of
protest.
One Of the latest protests to reach
the commission is made by William r.
Stone, president-manager Of Stones
Mercantile Agency, which. he says, is
one Of the largest users Of individual
line service in the city. He charges the
company with having made a clever
| stroke Of diplomacy. introduced at a
psychological time, and calculated to
confuse the real Issues upon which a
rate reduction has been sought.
Mr.. Stones Statement.
| For many years." states Mr.. Stone.
in what probably Is the longest protest
| been reported both competitive and
non competitive exchanges in other
cities have operated under conditions
parallel to the Washington system, with
| underground conduits. etc, and have
furnished masquerade service at
prices as low as one-third Of those
| charged by the local company. Such
rates were based, Of course upon pre-
war conditions: but, IL the difference in
charges then was not 1ustifable, the
difference was SO great that 1t should
even now be ample to meet the present
| situation. We presume, however, that