The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-03-21
m THE PUBLIC I!
Westminster, Maryland,
March 3, 1919

Official ICpI 0NoAA y
70 rpDort what has been done against
he enforcement of the increased
mos of the Consolidated Public
Utilities Company for water and new
rnjes for supplying it put in force in
october 1917.
Tho Charter of Westminster pro-
,ibitnd the Consolidated Company
som increasing it's rates without the
nonspht of the Town authorities; It's
Mcrngard of this law forced the
muniCipality, for your protection, in
to the Courts to uphold your rights.
The Court of Appeals, however, held
our law void, and that the Public
Service Commission alone had the
RIGHT to decide il the new rates we're
fair
knowing that any hearing before
The Commission would be prOtracted,
the Town had introduced in the Leg
stature Of 1918 a bill preventing the
collection of the increased rates I'M
til the Public Service Commission de-
cded they were just. Its enactment
was opposed and Carroll cOunty's
representatives refused to report it
favorably.
The Consolidated Company later
passed resolution agreeing to re-
fund to the consumer all money it
collected in excess of the rates the
Public Service Commission might de-
eide were just.
On June ). 1918, the Mayor and
Common Council in its own, and also
in behalf of the inhabitants OF West
nnr,nlnirnl tn fhn pnh1In
Service Commission, asserting that
the Consolidated rates for water were
too high, and It's rules unreasonable.
The Company answered denying
these charges, and the Commission
then directed its. experts to inyesti-
gate the COmpany's affairs.
On October 1, 1918, the Company
again raised it's minimum charge Tor
water, which it fixed at $3.50 per
quarter. payable in advance.
1t was not until January 1919 that
the Commissions engineer and audi
tor finally completed their work, and
or January 2lst, the trial or hearing
before the Commission began, ana
continued until the night of January
18th.
During the trial of the case the
Commissions engineer testified that
both water plants of the Consolidated
were reasonably necessary to supply
the Town with water; your represen-
tatiVe5 were surprised at this state
ment and requested the Commission
to secure an outside engineer to ad-
wise it On this matter, but its request
was refused.
On the 8th of February, the Town
was informed that the Commission
had employed Mr.. Gregory, formerly
OF New York, but now at Johns Hop
klnS University, to investigate the
Consolidated Water plants.
MT Gregory examined the plant on
tae 10th OF February and recently
made his report. The Commission
has fixed Wednesday March the Goth
LOT his examination, and will fix a
later date for the case to be argued.
We have heard that there is being
circulated the report that the hearing
before the Commission showed that
the minimum charge Of $3.50, per
quarter, OF the Company was the low
est or among the lowest in the State
Inc report of Mr.. Frank Harper
lheport No. 214) the Commission S
Rate Clerk, filed i'm our case on
august 6, 1918, gives the minimum
nat rates of the Water Companies OF
various towns in Maryland, as fol-
lows:
GuApdny Charge per quarter
baltimore County Water Com
pany 900
Boonsboro Water Company $50
burklttsVille Water Com
pany 175
GatonsVllle Water Company ESQ
dorchester Water Company 1.8O
oenlnore Park Hotel Company
&C., 500
D Ds,. Water Company $50
Allicott City Water Com
pany e5O
Hmmitsburg Water Com
pany n
haVre de Grace Water Com
pany 9sr
MMoaaeoning Water Company z25
(Elkton) 25
MecnaRicstown Water Com
pany "a
"i una Elk-Lch Water Co.,
Alleghany Coz 2.25
pany oog
pperryville Water Company $50
Ri, deposit Water Company 1.5O
SIGizerville Water Company zoo
Ininr water Company 800
W LaT9 Bridge Water Company Its
Eaaslon County Water co.
waltasrstownl LOO
I% s gT Water Company Its
raN mt Harper advises that since his
W.T.. was filed the Havre de Grace
s3S@ Company raised it's rates to
Wato- ger quarter, the Homecoming
Iicb no company and the Midland Elk
to !, Water Company raised theirs
plains my Per quarter and that com
missi ts nave been filed with the Com
~ S,en against these increases)
charsas frostburg Water Company
or ~ 1or three persons ST. 90, and
ants ~. additional person twenty-five
WI T municipal Water Companies
anol; "ater at a very low rate, viz:
arick Ply psf quarter
annapolis the matay nh2rga N, III