The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-19
Action by Local Distributing
Company Indicated Today.
Consumers Attorney Sarcastic
About Courts Award.
RAPS ADVANCE PUBLICATION
DOran Asks FavOrite Question,
"Why Not Wichita2"
Unable to Make Repairs Here
Under Present Rates. s.

An appeal from the order OF the
court Of industrial relations in the
Kansas Natural Gas company cases
will be made by the Consumers Light.
Heat & Power company of Topeka.
This course was indicated today by
T. F. Doran. attorney for the COM
pany, who feelingiy criticised reporfed
findings of the court
Doran has not seen a copy of fha
report. He sarcastically referred 20
what he termed a policy of the court
to publish its findings in advance.
Ihen he took a free swing at the
courts condemnations of leakaRes nv
distributing companies. He replied
That the companies could not make
repairs unless they were allowed suf-
ffcient funds.
Again-'Why Not WIchita?''
IF this new court can perform
miracles said Doran, there is an
opportunity to do SO now. 1t seems
strange the Wichita Natural rates
were increased 100 per cent and moth
ing said about leakages there when
they are equal to those in Topeka.
L understand also-by reading ad
vance press notices of the Opinion
mat the Kansas Natural is allowed to
increase its rates to 80 cents at the
city gates. Yet, there is nothing said
OF It's leakage which is far in excess
OF the standard fixed by Judge Booth
and referred to in the press notices.
II the opinion lives up to the ad-
vance press notices in the early ad-
vance public decision-which seems
10 be the modern practice of the new
court of industrious relations'--fher.
the Topeka company will be compelled
70 resort to the courts for the long
delayed relief which had been honed
for from the new court but not vet
received
LThen Doran pointed to the failure
OF the court to mention leaky pipes
except as they are owned by Kanses
Natural distributing companies.
Says Low Rates to Blame,
The Topeka company has Ieakv
pipes" he continued. TOO many Of
them But this condition has been
prought~about solely thru unreason-
able and low rates kept down nv tho
old public utilities commission-
operated purely for political purposes.
We had hoped the new court would
establish rate that would enable the
company to take care of depreciations
made mandatory because of action of
the former commission. The COM
pany has not for years had any divi-
dends. 1t has been made bankrupt
thru the orders of the former COM
mission and, as a result, is in the
handS OF receiver. 1t has not de-
rived enough revenue to pay operating
costs. taxes and bond interest Now
the new court says the company can
nave no money until it repairs its
mains-and there is no money for the
work"
For Repairs, $4,000 a Month.
Doran asserted the company is now
spending more than $50 a month
for repairs But to meet the courts
demands he called upon the judges TO
perform miracle and provide the
money.
The Topeka company does not
care to criticise the court or to make
a statement until a chance has been
given to read and understand the
opinion and order which We under
stand will be handed down today"
Doran was severe in his criticism Of
the courts policy in announcing dect-
sions before opinions are sent to uttli-
ties affected. He asserted that IL he
found the opinion in keeping with
press summaries OF the court findings
that the local company would imnne-
diately seek court RELIEF. II is prob
able an appeal will be taken to the
state supreme court or an effort made
to take the matter before the federal
court
Mr.. Doran is rather indignant over
the action of the Industrial court Civ
ing out the news of the gas decision
to the newspapers. II. Mr.. Doran IL
aware of any more interest than the
pubIic's in gas decision. his criticism
will be accepted. The general public.
always involved, always required %
pay the bills, is to be given first con-
sideration of matters Of public utih-
ties The Industrial court, n public
institution. renders an opinion of pub
lie interest in a gas rate question The
public pays for the gas and the public
is entitled to the information first.
The public must rest its case in the
Industrial court The gas company has
courts Of appeals Of its own.
The general. public has worried
along shedding tears long enough for
the gas companies. Whatever rate has
been deemed necessary has been paid
The public always has been in the
position TO be thankful because ths
rate was not higher. Now comes n
court that decides the rate is high
enough. The public is given it's first
chance TO put away its damp handker-
chief. Hereafter the gas company will
find it a difficult task TO arouse any
sympathy on the part OF the consumer.
The sob days are over. The Industrial
court has come to the rescue.