White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1920-11-28
ELY LIGHT 8 POWER COMPANY
ASKS SERVICE RATE INCREASE

An increase in rates for electricit,
used for light and power in this dis
trict Is being sought by the Ely Light
and Power Company by petition filed
with the Public Service Commission.
1t is set forth in the petition that in
order for the company to continue It's
public service such increase becomes
necessary on account OF the increased
cost OF manufacturing, distribution and
general expenses. since 1918 when the
present rates were fixed by the COM
mission and by which the local com
pany has since been governed.
1t Is pointed out In the petition that
during the period of years from 1918
TO the present time all costs for wages,
supplies and materials have greatly in
creased and by reason of that fact the
: operating cost OF the company has been
increased as follows:
Per Cent
Manufacturing cost ... so
Distribution cost ............. "a
General expenses ............. 81
That between the years 1918 and
1920 the wages paid by the company
for the operation of it's lines have in
creased from s1.1e7.5o per month to
s1.635.oo per month. That taxes have
been increased from si.o65.22 in 1913
TO s2,163.1s In 1919 and that the taxes
Tor 1920 will be higher than in 1919.
The increase in the cost Of coal IL
likewise pointed out and this item
alone has raised the cost of operation
by the company in the sum of $4,000
per month. while the latest advance in
freight rates as granted by the COM
mission will further Increase this cost
t.. ..at Hnv
10000 per year.
The petition further sets forth that
the present rates were established by
the commission in 1918 upon the pre-
mise and belief that they would yield
the company an annual income of s
per cent upon the value of the property
which was then fixed Mt $4,000. That
the net income. without allowance for
depreciation of plant and property, for
the years 1914 to 1919. both inclusive
has been s1s.664.94. The average net
annual revenue for the same period has
been S3,0s5.06. or less than Ave per
cent on the value of the property as
such value was fixed In 1913. The value
of the property is now greatly In ex-
cess of s57, 600. and the assessed yalua-
tion of the property for purposes OF
taxation is liked at s63.75o.oo.
That In addition to the matters above
set forth and In addition TO the items
hereinnbove specifically mentioned,
there has been an increase In tho cost
of all miscellaneous supplies and COM
modit!es which are used by the COM
many in the conduct of the public util-
ity and in the performance of the SER
.yice rendered by 1t. and that the total
.Solume of such Increase has a very ap-
preciable effect In decreasing the earn
ings and revenues of the petitioner.
That these increased costs have been
wholly beyond the control of the COM
pany and the causes producing them
have been In no sense confined to the
territory served by 1t.
That by reason OF such increased
costs and expenses the company has
failed TO earn just and reasonable
return, either upon Its investment de-
voted to the public utility. or upon the
value of the service IL performs, and
that 1t would be impossible for the
company to continue the performance
of such service. or the maintenance OF
the public utility unless the order OF
september &. 1918 shall be rescinded
and unless the company shall be al
lowed to exact such rates tolls and
fair and reasonable return upon the
value of Ito property and upon the
value of the service IL performs. That
the losses during the past two months
have been so heavy due to such In
creased operating expenses and to the
Increase In the cost Of fuel. that con-
tinuance thereof would make IL impos-
sible for the company to continue the
performance of its public service.
In conclusion the petition prays for
The establishment of new rates which
will be as follows:
Minimum charge. $2.b0.
20 cents per kilowatt hour upon all
consumption of current by single
consumer for the first $50 kiiowatt
.sours consumed per month.
n is cents per kilowatt hour upon all
consumption of current by single
consumer for the next 100 kiowau
hours consumed per month.
1874 cents per kilowatt hour upon all
consumption of current by single con-
sumner for all In excess of ESQ kilowatt
hours consumed per month.
power-i3 cents per kilowatt hour
The rates as established In 1913 and
under which the company is now OPP
Grating are as follows:
Minimum charge. $3.50.
II cents per kilowatt hour upon all
consumption of current by single con-
sumer for the first so kiiowatt hours
consumed per month.
16a cents per kilowatt hour upon all
consumption of current by single con
sumer for the next 100 kilowau hours
consumed per month.
12h cents per kilowatt hour upon all
consumption OF current by single con-
sumer for all In excess OF $50 kilowatt
hours consumed per month.
Power--10 cents per kilowat hour.
Death OF Well-known Nevada Lawyer
Judge Curtis II. Lindley. one OF the
best known mining lawyers on the