The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1921-03-24
GAS EXPERT WILL
TEST SERVICE OF
CORPORATIONS
COMP'Es EMPLOY EXPER'
Several Cities Wanted to In
troduce Evidence About the
Grade of Service Being Rem
dered by Various Gas Com
panies But the Commission
Wanted Expert Testimony.

Raleigh, March 24.-Probably the
most important result of the hearing
of the petition of the gas companies
for the right to continue the tempor-
ary gas rates, will be an order from
the commission, through agreement
with the gas companies, to employ
gas expert who will work for the COM
mission in testing the service the vari-
Gus companies give their customers
in the future.
This development came out when
the cities wanted to introduce evil
dence about the grade of service be-
ing rendered by the various gas COM
panies. The commission did not think
this the proper time to consider COM
plants of this kind since there could
not be any expert testimony on eth
er side. Commissioner Maxwell sug-
gested that the only way to check up
on the service of the companies was
for the commission to send man
into the field who could make the
proper tests. The commission did not
pay such a man, but he wondered if
the companies for their own infor-
nation and in an effort to give ser
vice, would be willing to pool for
the purpose of paying salary and
expenses of such an expert. Practi-
cally all of the larger companies and
the representatives of some of the
smaller companies Immediately signi-
fed their willingness to go into such
an arrangement. They wanted the
man and were willing to pay him,
but with the understanding that he
work for the commission, get his in
structions from the commission and
look after the interests of the pub
1ic
The hearing on these gas rates
has now been on for the past two
days and there is little indication
that it can be completed before the
end of the week. Up to the present
time the case of not a single city
has been completed. The companies
have put on evidence for Durham,
Raleigh and Manager Clay of Win
ston Salem is in the midst of testi-
pony for his company. The cities so
ar have offered no evidence in re-
uttal but announce that they will
the end of the hearing if they
pd that is necessary.
While predictions at this stage of
hearing are little premature,
indications are that the COM
ssion will find that the temporary
is, somewhat higher than the
prices for the coming year will
ify. They will order some reduct-
n rates, in the opinion of many
are watching the progress of the
gas makers contend that the
he'd figures of rates in other
are old rates and that the neW
granted in many cases and
for in others, are about in
the present rates in effect,
Carolina cities.
can politicians hereabouts
>ring how much of row
tler will, be- able to kick
eensboro gathering Of his
Is. They understand that
approve the appoint
lat has been worked out
Committeeman John
rehead and Chairman
by. He has been in Wash
rring with his friend, the
" general and others. He
the Greensboro meeting
pose of voicing his pro-
St the big bosses fixing
the various Jobs with
ng ithe county chairman
bcal leaders. He does not
fright and has annpunced
II carry the. fight aAainst
and. appointments ede
method to the flod as
htinued on