Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-06-30

and power. in which the rate was in
creased mills"
The order OF the commission citing the
increased wages and the demoralized coal
market as the reason for granting the ad-
dition Increases is set forth In the pet
ton, which continues:
said order OF July 5. 1920 further de
scribed said increases as temporary
Advancement to meet emergencies Said
order further provides that said relief
was so granted to meet unsettled and
unstable conditions and should be TEN
porary in character and SO designed as
to be easily adjusted
"That all OF said increases and sur
charges so granted by this commission,
were granted as shown by said orders,
and petitions to meet immediate and
pressing emergencies. either occasioned
/ by war, or the aftermaths Of war, or by
the desperate coal situation. and the in
ability to get cars for coal. or other
emergencies, including advance In coal
prices to 'unprecented levels or by the
critical labor situation
Your petitioners respectfully show:
(a) That there is now no unprecedented
high levels for cost Of coal.
(b) That there is now no demoraliZa-
ton in the coal markets, nor sharp ad-
vances in the prices Of coal.
(c) That there Is now no inability to
get deliveries of coal on contracts, nor
inability to make satisfactory arrange
ments for the purchasing OF coal.
Id That there Is now no advance in
operating costs.
(e) That there is now no war emer-
gency to be met.
Petitioners say, that on the con
trary there is an abundance of coal at
lower prices than named in the findings
OF said order of July 3rd, 1920, upor
which said increased rates were made and
based.
COST OF LABOR
LIS DECREASING.
THAT the cost of labor is constantly
decreasing. That there is a wide spread,
universal ard profound depression in all
classes of business in the City Of In
diana polls, as well as in the State Of In
diana, and throughout the United States,
That the cost Of all kinds OF materials
used in the operation and business OF
said Public Utilities Companies is rap
idly decreasing in price. and since the
| granting Of said increased rates in said
order of July 3rd, 1920 labor cost has
very materially declined. and not only
/ In the City of indianapolis, but generally
| throughout the United States.
"That because of such universal de-
preston throughout this country the
Business Of your petitioners has greatly
suffered and declined, and losses have re-
suited to them. Business generally in
| Indianapolis, RS in other cities OF The
| United States have suffered heavy de-
/ olines and few manufacturing concerns,
railroads, and fractions, or other estab
lishments are earning little, If any, per
cent of profit on their investment In their
respective business.
s. THAT the estimated coal costs, as
furnished by said Public Utilities Com
panies for the year 1920, upon which said
granted on July 8, 1920, was $4.22 a ton
10 the said Indianapolis Light and Heat
Company, and 1870 per ton estimated to
said Merchants Heat and Light Company
The actual coal costs as reflected In each
of said Public Utilities Companies annual
report filed with this commission was
1892 and 1884 respectively. That the
price Of coal today per ton has decreased
approximately So cents per ton from said
estimated figures so furnished, and on
which said increased rates were largely
based.
30 Petitioners further say that there is
no just reason why said Increase Of $.O12
per K w H. for electrical energy so
sold for power by said Public Utilities
Companies should longer continue
That said increase of S.005 per X. W.
H. Of July 8, 1920 was to meet many