The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-05
GIVE IT A TRIAL
teshtlnasd from Page one,
the distributing eompany's revenues
would be reduced TO SLIPS.
Cost Consumers More.

In spite of the reduction In reve-
iiues 10 The local distributing com
pany, Doran commended that the indi-
vidual consumer would pay one-third
more for gas. He said that instead
OF Sis,OS0 paid by the ESQ consumers,
the same amount of gas sold under
the Doherty plan would cost $24,129.
He urged that not only would the pro-
ducing Company receive all OF the eX-
ira revenue, but that the returns to the
distributing company would be re-
duced.
Huggins in Lis statement today de-
clafed the jurisdictionat question
Should not be raised in the present
case.
by agreement of the Kansas Nat
ural and the commission, the Kansas
Natural came In voluntarily. not sub
hitting to this Jurisdiction, but for the
purpose of this stigation, the com
mission not ,concedifig 1t had no juf-
isdictiofi. The Question should not be
raised in this investigation. 1t is our
purpose to get at facts which may
show a reasonable price to the con-
sumner.
The investigation has the hearty
approval of Judge Beeth. who assured
the commission he will cooperate in
every way possible to arrive at a set
Element and end litigation. The FRO
testing distributing companies serving
Topeka, Kansas City, Leavenworth,
Atchison and Lawrence are benefi-
eiafies OF this Arrangement because
kJudEe Booth made an order requiring
receiver to charge 8 cents at the city
gates. but on application of protest
ing Companies, the order was sus-
pended and fixed at % cents. 1t may
be a perfectly natural desire of the
protesting companies to continue the
case as long as possible in order to
benefit by the low gate rate and
- ore rarS -
mefly."
Impressed by Demonstration.
In his statement Higgins said the
| commission was more strongly i'm
| pressed by actual demonstrations than
| by testimony of experts called by
either the producing or distributing
lawyers, take the viewpoint of their
| clients" said Higgins. He asked dis
| tributing companies to make demon
! STATIONS to offset those of the Deherty
| interests.
At the conclusion of the case Henry
| NJ. Doherty stated that his company
would install number of limiting de-
| Vices in Topeka homes. Persons using
| these deffces will be called as wit
nesses In subsequent hearings before
| the commission. The tests are to be
made Immediately.
AT present." said higgins, ''the
/
| to favor the three point rate for three
| reasons:
Il. We believe 1t will encourage
thrift and careful use of gas
| 20. We believe it will reduce the
cost Of gas to the average family when
carefully used.
"3. We believe II will stabilize the
demand and enable the producing
company to give constant ana efficient
service.
1--WE believe from demonstrations
that the average family of six or eight
persons will cook, heat water for
| washing and bathing purposes on
thirty foot demand at from 5000 to
1000 cubic feet of gas per month. If
we are right on this proposition, then
the average family Using 5000 cubic
feet per month viii pay slightly more
than 70 cents a thousand. Families
using 1000 feet will pay about So
some reduction il the present price
and at the same time will enable the
supplying Companies to furnish an
adequate supply. This will surely be a
good present solution of the difficulty.
Experimental Rates.
ANY rate now fixed will be expert
mental ana subject to change if II
proves too low or too high. No court
ever set aside any order of this COM
mission on the ground that the price
to consumers was too high. Several
times orders have been set aside be-
cause price fixed was too low. In
view OF the present anxiety caused no
doubt by this investigation, the com
mission wishes to assure all parties IL
will be careful not to fix any rate too
high for the average household"
Distributing companies desiring to
voluntarily try the three point plan
were asked TO prepare and file rates
as soon as possible. These schedules
/ will be considered as applications and
Hearings will be held and opportuni-
ties given cities to produce testimony
The three point plan can be adopted
only gradually, IT was pointed out. and
interim rates will be fixed. The in
tefim fates.'' said Higgins. must hoi
increase and may decrease present
rates"