Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-10-22
NOTICE I Q THE PUBLIC

On account of the greatly increas- ed cost of fuel, labor and all mater ial used in the production and dis tribution of electric light and power we are compelled to make application to the Arkansas Corporation Com mission for an increased rate for electric light and power. The Com crease far beyond the time when it could safely continue to operate at the old rates hoping that conditions would so change that no increase would be necessary. The changes however, have been for the worse and the Gas Company is now asking a rate for fuel gas more than double what it was receiving when the pre- sent rates were put into effect. The increase if granted, would more than ewipe out all the net revenue the Company is receiving, leaving noth- ing for interest or any return to the stockholders, great many of whom are Pine Bluff people. We are, therefore, asking for permission to- increase the Commercial lighting rate 1 cent per kilowatt hour. This means that the maximum lighting rate which is now 15c per Kilowatt- hour would in the future be 16c per Killowatt-hour. The small retail power which is now a straight rate of 6c per Kilowatt-hour with min imum of $1 per H. F., per month we are asking permission to change to the following rate:
 First 100 XVIII per month at Sc
 per XVII
 Next 200 XVIII per month at 7c per
 XVIII
 All over 300 XVII per month at 6c
 per XVIII
 Minimum $1.10 per H. P. per month.
 Also, on all commercial lighting, and all seconday power we wish to add the following fuel clause provid- ing for a slight addition to take care of any increase or deduct for and de- crease from the present price of fuel.
 r When the fuel used by the com- pany for making steam for it's plant shall. exceed the following rate, to- wit: Gas 25c per 1000 GU. fit; oil $2.00 per bbl.;; coal $6.25 per ton; delivered at the company bins orI tanks; or when the price of these fuels fall below said prices the me tered rates shall be increased orI decreased respectively, one-half al cent (1-2( per Kilowatt-hour for each such increase or decrease respective 1y of Sc per 1000 GU. fit. of gas, or 4Oc per bbl of oil, or one dollar per ton of coal, above or below oforesaid prices"
 This fuel clause covers only the 1 bare cost of any change in the price of fuel and will make it necessary for the company to again appeal for an increase if the price of fuel changes and will also provide a like reduction in the rates if there should be any decrease from the pre- sent price of fuel. The Company proposes to use the kind of fuel that VIII De moSe ecOnOmlcal TOT itself ! and it's customers and now has fac ilities for burning either oil or gas under every boiler. If the. Gas Com pany is not successful in raising the price of gas there will be no addi- tional charge other than the one cent per Kilowatt-hour and the slight change in the small power rate.
 We have asked that this rate be- come effective November 1st., 1920, which is the date on which the Gas Company proposes to make it ad- ditional charge for industrial gas. The charge would first appear on the December 1st., billing. We have sub- mitted the information setting out the necessity of this increase to the City Council and to the Arkansas Corporation Commission. If. any protests are filed they must be in the Commissions offices at least ten days prior to the effective date of the new schedule. We sincerlv hope that all our customers will rec ognize the necessity and fairness of the proposed rate.
 THE PINE BLUFF COMPANY l