Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-03-29
CAR co. COSTS
FOR THIS YEAR
PUT ABOVE 1920
MCGOWAN Denies Reductions
Will Cut Operating
Expenses.
ESTIMATES QUESTIONED

Operation costs of the Indianapolis
Street Railway Company will be
more this year than last year despite
general reductions in prices, Joseph
A. McGoy an, secretary and treasurer
of the company, told the public serv-
ice commission today in the hearing
of the company's petition for in
creased fares
Power costs averaged IS1 cents per
kilowatt hour in 1920 while they will
average 1.S7 cents this year; the cost Of
operating cars In 1927 will be SlGG9 62T
as compared with 81. .564, ,5O1 in 1920. a
difference OF $IO5, 120, Mr. MCGOWAN said.
When the hearing opened Samuel Ash
by, corporation counsel for the city, con
tInued his cross examination of Mr. Nc
Gowan. closing 1t Just before the noon
adjournment. Mr. Ashby questioned the
statements of the company, that current
purchases viii be higher this year than
last. He also questioned the showing OF
the company that current cost more In
February than in January, despite pre-
vious testimony that high prices were
caused by calculating the cost Of high
priced coal purchased last year.
Mr.. Ashby also Questioned figures OF
the company estimating powerhouse
equipment maintenance costs .at SIS, 900
more this year than last
MANY COSTS HIGHER.
MCGOWAN SAYS.
Maintenance OF equipment cost more
in January and February Of this year
than for the corresponding months last
year Mr., McGowan replied 10 this ques-
ton.
Are not repairs cheaper than they were
a year ago." Mr. Ashby asked
NO. sir. Many things needed in power
plants are higher than year ago Mr..
McGowan replied Wages are as high
or higher"
"bO you pay common labor more or
less than last year" Mr. Ashby asked
Mr.. McGowan hesitated, explaining that
the company employed very little com
mon labor IN Its power plants, but he
finally replied that the cost Of common
labor is probably more
Figures presented to the commission
showed that power plant wages In 1920
We're S71 .915 and that the estimated cost
Of similar wages in 1921 would be $S5.-
All Mr.. MCGOWAN explained that the
estimated increase = based on hgIres for
January and February
The cost Of fuel for power In 1920 was
S34547l, as compared with an estimate Of
S3l2,134 for 1921. Mr.. MCGOWAN ex-
plained also that ii costs the company
20 cents a ton 10 handle It's coal at the
West Washington street plant. At this
point q. I. Lewis. chairman Of the com
mission, asked that an analysis be made
Of :he cost of the coal the company has
on hand
ASHBY QUESTIONS
ANOTHER ESTIMATE
Mr. Ashby questioned an estimated
increase In coal costs over the latter
months Of last year. Mr. MCGOWAN ex-
plained the estimate was based on the
company's experiences IN February.
'DO you mean that your concern IS so
set that you what you do in January and
February you must do the remainder Of
the yearY' Mr. Ashby asked
mot at ALL" Mr.. McGowan replied.
but that is all we have to base our esti-
mates on.
Further testimony showed that the
company is paying an average of 135
cents a kilowatt hour for current pur-
chased from the Terre Haute. Indlanapo-
lis & Eastern Traction Company and that
the current manufactured by the com
Continued on Page Nine)