Evening journal., 1918-09-05
GAS CO. HEARING
ON SEPTEMBER IS
Utilities Commission Will
Hear Reasons for In
creased Rate That Date
LYON-GARRETSON
FIGURE IN TILT


Featured by a tilt between President
Of City Council George T. Lyon and
c. D. Garretson. a member Of the
Board Of Public Utilities Commission,
the meeting Of the Utilities Commission
last night in Mayor Lawson's office 10
consider the request OF the Whining
ton Gas Company for the right TO in
crease It's rates for gas was Of short
duration. n The company seeks permis-
sion to increase It's rates from si05 TO
$3.50 per thousand feet net, and TO add
30 cents per 1000 cubic feet on all un-
paid bills after ten days. as well as 10
charge a minimum rate Of 30 cents per
month for meter use where the con-
sumption OF gas amounts 10 less than
30 cents per month. Increased cost Of
production as set forth In a long state
ment, IS given as a reason for asking
the increase. Members Of Council pres
ent were indignant because Mr.. Garrett
son called President Lyon out Of order
when he endeavored 70 speak on the
subject. They held that as John T.
Nesry, attorney for the gas company,
was allowed TO speak at will on the
subject, city officials as well as citizens
also should have that right.
The TIT occurred following the read
ing Of the petition from the gas COM
pany, which was not heard by many in
the room, the secretary reading u in a
low tone Mr.. Garretson made a,mo-
tion to allow the request and suggested
that a date be set for a public hearing.
Mr.. Lyon arose and asked was that
a motion to grant the request. d" Mr.. Gar
retson at once addressed Commissioner
Isaac. who was presiding, and remark
ed "The gentleman is out Of order.
This Is a meeting Of the Board OF Public
Utilities Commissioners" Mr.. Lyon re-
torted.
Il am not out Of order. have as
good a right TO be heard as anyone else
here: this Is a public nesting. | sim
ply asked for information, and Mr..
Ciarretson, I'll tell you right now that
YOU can't shut me off. Your motion
was that the request be allowed" and
II IL does not mean what It says I'd like
30 know just what it does mean
Mr.. Garretson replied, THAT was my
motion" II was changed later and
Wednesday, September IS, was fixed as
a time for a public hearing on the re
quest
Mr.. Garretson explsined that some
changes would have TO be made in the
boards rules before the petition Is
acted upon and President Pro TEN Isaac
appointed Commissioners GarretsOn and
Higgins a committee TO revise the rules
the revision 20 be acted upon at a
special meeting 10 be called before the
hearing.
The Central Labor Union. which
adopted resolutions on Tuesday night
protesting against the increase until
the matter had been thoroughly inves-
tigated, and also obiecting 30 the cleo
ton Of Mr.. Garretson TO the presidency
OF the bosrd. was represented at The
meeting BY several members. When the
communication from that body was
read Mr.. Gsrretson stated that he con-
sidered the letter an insult N the in
telHgence Of the members Of the board
Il was ordered filed.
The petition presented by the Gas
Company. which was accompanied by a
statement showing operating expenses
for twelve months ending June 30, 1918,
was as follows:
Board OF Public Utility Commissioners,
Wilmington, Delaware.
Aug. 27, 1918.
Gentlemen: In October, 1917, we ap-
peared before your board with a writ
ten statement showing the justification
for additional Income which was neces-
sary in order TO meet the existing adj
vanced costs at that time covering labor
and materials entering into the manu-
facture and distribution Of gas in the
-sN -
ings and discussions before your board
we were permitted 10 advance the net
price Of gas ten cents per thousand
cubic feet
At the time we submitted the state
ment referred TO, we were operating
under oil and coal contracts which had
been made prior 10 the United states
entering the war, but these contracts
were at higher prices for these mate
rials than we paid during normal times.
Since the increase Of ten cents per
thousand went into effect in October,
1917, our cost Of making and distribut-
ing gas has been gradually increasing,
due TO the abnormal conditions and
high prices created by the world war.
on April ist, 1918. our anthracite coal
contract expired. Our new contract and
increased freight rate make an increase
OF S25,05O3O based on our present year.
~ consumption Of anthracite. On June
%, 1918, the government advanced the
freight rates on anthracite coal from
Sl.s5 per ton TO $40 per ton, making
a net increase Of $50 per ton or 30 per
cent. Freight rates were also advanced
on bituminous coal from sl.75 per ton
10 s220 per ton, making a net increase
Of $40 per ton or % per cent.
on July Bird, 1918. we received our
last shipment Of oil on contract with
the Atlantic Refining Company made in