The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-27
Troublesome Day for New Re-
ceiver of Local Company.
Displays Lack of knowledge of
Many Details.
CITY ENTERS THE OPENING
Attorneys Avail Themselves of
Opportunity Today.
Service Charge Case Before the
Utilities Commission.

This has been a rather tedious and
troublesome day for J. H. Swan, tenn
porary receiver for the Consumers
Light, Heat & Power company of To-
peka. Having been in his new office
less than a month, Swan today en-
countered much difficulty in answer
ing questions in the service charge
case. He spent the noon hour search
ing for records and data regarding
funds amounting to several hundred
thousand dollars and interest received
on daily balance.
Few Detailed Records.
Swans apparent lack of knowledge
regarding many of the details of the
receivership gave attorneys for the
city of Topeka an opportunity to drive
home many contentious which had
been refuted by the gas company in
former hearings. The detail records
of affairs of the distributing company
had been held by the late L. G. Ire
leaVen, receiver, and Swan frankly
told the public utilities commission
that he could not make positive state
ments regarding a number of issues.
He spent the noon lunch hour in his
office compiling information sought
by the commission or attorneys for
the city.
Under a plan now in operation,
!
a fund of $4,000 a year as a deprecia-
ton reserve. Later in his testimony
Swan said that in his opinion condi-
tion of the gas property is as good as
in 1906. .
AT the present time, Swan testified,
he has in his possession a fund of
$275,0O0 used as a bond interest fund.
The money is on deposit in a New
York bank, subject to check.
What interest rate does it draw on
daily balance?" was asked.
Il cannot say. The money was
| placed there and the plans for the de-
| post made before L took the office"
Clad Hamilton Questions Him.
| Then Clad Hamilton, representing
| the city, sought to drag from Swan an
admission that funds aggregating
$533,000 are on deposit in New York.
| He also sought an admission that the
New York banks are paying less than
! 2 per cent interest. Swan said he
didn't know.
Don't you know you could get as
high as 4 per cent on daily balance
from banks right here in Topeka?"
| Il don't know; never had occasion
! to find out"
( Don't you think it is your business
as receiver to find QUITO put the
money in Topeka banks paying 4 per
cent instead of leaving it in New York
! at less than per cent?"
I 1 QOn KNOW EIldL the money Is
being left there for less than per
cent. Maybe it is 8, or 4 or 5. 1t is a
matter am not yet familiar with"
J Swan said he expected to be able to
give more definite information late
this afternoon following an investiga-
ton of the deposit account.
| Involves Service Charge.
The case involves suspension of the
! rs cent gas service charge in Topeka
! "a oh ir
/ Leavenworth, Atchison and Kansas
City-each with service charges of 81
will follow the Topeka hearing. Ar
effort will be made by the cities tC
show that the new revenue received
thru collection of the service charge
has not been used to improve service
The cases may not be concluded unit
late Saturday afternoon.