The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-07-11
Rate INQUIRY IS
SET FOR JULY 10
BY STATE BOARD:
COMPANY WAVES
Rail Board Takes Action
On City Of Fargo Peti-
ton On Rates
Hubbard WRITES
THAT WAY rs OPEN
Doesn't Insist On Prelimi-
nary Probe, And Books
Are Open To Study

The North Dakota state railroad
commission today notified City Au-
ditor Watkins that it has fixed July
10 as the date for tho preliminary
investigation to determine whether
or not the commission shall inter-
vene in the question Of rates to be
charged by the Union Light, Heat q
Power company to Fargo patrons.
In a letter 10 the railroad commits
sion, NJ. l.. Hubbard today valves
such examination. and declares the
company consents to full investiga-
ton Of its books. records. plant. etc,
to determine whether or not the rates
proposed are fair.
Mr. Hubbard also declared today
, that the company has at no time
INSTRUCTED or proposed to OBJ
struct the city or the state
in it's proposal to make an
investigation Of the company records.
While in Fargo Wednesday, Auor-
ney General William LANCER and
Frank Packard. member Of the state
! tax commission. conferred with city
officials, declaring their readiness TO
cooperate with the city in advanC-
ing the rate issue. the state officials
saying they would turn over to the
city the records obtained In a physi-
cal valuation made of the plant a
year ago.
Preliminary investigation.
The preliminary investigation fix
ed for July 10. which is expressly
waived by the company in Mr.. Hib-
bard's letter OF today to the rail
commission, is provided for by the
law governing the rate question. The
purpose of such hearing, as set forth
in the law, Is to determine whether
al q 10,
such investigation OF rates as Is de-
manded by the complainant city.
The fact that the Union Light
Heat & Power company has waived
the preliminary hearing. permits the
railroad commission to proceed with
the main investigation without fur
Their delay.
MIR. Hibbard's Statement.
Referring to the matter Of the eX-
animation of the books and records
of the Union Light, Heat & Power
company by the city commission or
by the state railroad commits Sion,
NJ. l. Hubbard, in an interview to-
day, stated:
THE statement that the company
refused to permit an examination of
its books and records is entirely err
roneous. Last year when a request |
WIS 4IlSLOS ny HIdl5 Ol44CLdlS 1OI per
mission to examine the books and |
records and also the property and |
plant of the company, 1t was imme-
diately granted and an examination |
Of the physical property was made |
by the states experts, Hagenah & |
Erickson. AS was stated by our |
representative before the city COM |
mission several days ago. the COM |
pany welcomes an Investigation OF !
it's books, records, plant, etc, and |
wishes to cooperate in every way. |
We are willing to have the states |
experts examine our books and have
so advised the railroad commission |
today.
Letter to Commission.
With respect to the preliminary |
which has been set by |
the railroad commission for July 10, /
Mr.. Hubbard stated that he had to-
day written the RAILROAD commission
as follows:
, Gentlemen: We are in receipt Of
your favor of July 10 in which you
advise that the city of Fargo has
appealed to your board for an in
of the rates lately put |
into effect by this company, and that
July 10 has been fixed as the date
for the preliminary investigation