Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-30
T0F|X FAIR COST
RECONSTRUCTION
OF WIRE CONDU|TS
Utilities Commission to Hold
Public Hearing on Rates
Charged by P. E. P. Co.

The Public Utilities Commission an
nounced today that public hearing
Will be held in the District building
November IA to determine whether
the rates charged by the Potomac
Electric Power Company for extend
ing its conduits to homes applying
Tor current are unreasonable.
The decision to take up this aues-
ton is the result of more than thirty
complaints filed with the commission
recently by citizens against the
p pany reo wflea the fa eisstris shs
in property which necessitates extern
sion of mains.
The District government itself is
partly responsible for the calling of
the hearing. The District protested
against the charge which the COM
pany estimated would be necessary to
extend its mains to point where cur
rent could be supplied to the Towers
School. Sth. and c streets southeast,
and the Bradley. School 1874 and. c
streets southwest. Current is needed
In these schools to operate the heat
ing and lighting plant.
Auditor Donovan's Ruling.
District Auditor Donovan ruled that
the city could not deposit the cost of
the extension with the company or en-
ter into an agreement to pay so much
month for a period of years to meet
the cost. The rule of the company is
to refund part of this money as 9TH
er residents alone the line of the ex-
tension take the service.
According to District officials. the
company has agreed to go ahead with
the installation in the schools and set
tie the question Of the cost after the
hearing.
Some time ago the utilities commits
sion wrote to the electric power COM
how the company determines the cost
to property owner when he requests
extension of current to his house.
The Company's Reply.
The companys reply reads in part
as follows:
when application is received from
a prospective consumer for the supply
of electric service to premises to
which we have no adjacent conduits
an investigation is made as to the
probable current consumption and the
cost of making the necessary extern
sion. If we feel that the business
would be of an extent to more than
reimburse us for the amount of max
three years, and also where it is
thought to be of a permanent nature,
or where the consumer will guaran-
tee us returns in thirty-six monthly
installments of the amount expend-
ed, the extension is made without
cost to the consumer than the or
binary conduit connection from curb
to the premises.
I'm cases where the business is not
considered to be of a permanent ma
ture we make the extension. provided
the consumer deposits with the COM
pany the cost of the extension and
refund of same is made as additional
are secured along the line
of said extensions.
Cost of Extension Factor.
Referring to that portion of the let
ter in which is asked: What is the
minimum estimated gross annual
extension of service?' it depends upon
the cost of the extension, but it has
been our practice when the cost of the
extension is $50 or less to make the
extension to supply the applicant I'M
der our standard schedules. For ex-
the cost of making the extension is
$50, the consumer would be requested
to sign our schedule A minimum charge
Of 81 per month for a period of one |
year. Should the cost OF the extern |
sion be $3.50 there would be deducted |
from this the sum of $50, leaving an !
excess cost Of $500, in which case the |
consumer would be asked to guarantee |
US the sum of $3.50 per month for a |
period of three years in addition to |
the customary guarantee of $1.00 per |
or deposit with us the sum Of |
$500. which would be refunded as pro-
vided for in rider 8B. The conditions |
Under which extensions are made are |
pretty generally. outlined under our
'iders ga and sB under general rate
schedules"