Evening star., 1921-09-12
RIGHT Of UTILITIES
BODY QUESTIONED
W. R. & E. Disputes Fixing
Rules Governing Its De.
sass,sg
probation Fund.
probation Fund.

.
The Washington Railway and Elec-
| trio Company today filed with the
Public Utilities Commission a petition
| in which the company denied the right
of the commission to fix rules to gov
ern the handling of it's depreciation
| fund. The petition asks that the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company be dropped from considera-
| tion under the new rules for depre-
citation now being prepared by the
commission.
S. II. Bowen of counsel for the com
pany took the commission by sur
i prise when he presented the petition
| at hearing held at the District build
| ing today for the purpose of consider
| ing the tentative rules of depreciation
which the commission plans to eStab-
| liSh.
1. C. G. Jurlsdiction.
The petition states: That the In
| sole and exclusive jurisdiction over
the matter of adoption of rates of de-
probation of the several classes of
property of the Washington Railway
! and Electric and its affiliated rail-
ways and rules, regulations and
| methods Of accounting therefor and
company respectfully, deny the juris-
diction of this honorable commission
upon that ground, and respectfully
| move that the proceeding herein be
! dismissed as to the Washington Rail-
; way and Electric and affiliated COM
panies."
Mr.. Bowen explained after the hear
| ing that the Washington Railway and
| Electric Company, being an inter-
| state carrier, is now required to fol-
| by the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. He said the proposed rules OF
! the local commission are in conflict
with those of the Interstate Com
merce Commi ssion.
Action Later.
The commission adjourned for lunch
and will act later on Mr.. Bowen's
motion. The same contention was
! raised at previous hearing by the
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company and the commission has for
| the present omitted the telephone
company from consideration under
the proposed rule
lie service corporations of the city
met with the Public Utilities Com
mission at the District building to-
| day to discuss the tentative rules
drawn up by the commission to gov
ern the handling Of depreciation funds
| of the companies. -
I Col. Charles w. Kutz. chairman OF
the commission. announced that the
meeting was called to enable the COM
panies to suggest changes which they
believe should be made in the tenta-
tive rules before they are finally
adopted.
The Capital Traction Company was
invited to take the stand first, with
John H. Hanna. vice president. as
spokesman.
Suggests Conference.
Mr.. Hanna said there were a num-
ber Of details not clear from a street
railway standpoint. He suggested
that conference between the COM
two street car companies be held. He
voiced the belief that at such a con-
ference the differences of opinion as
to the meaning Of certain rules could
be ironed out.
Chairman Kutz seemed to favor the
suggestion, but asked Mr.. Hanna to
explain at today's hearing his views
Mr.. Hanna then stated that one rule
to which he takes exception Is that
which provides that the depreciation
reserve shall be kept on A per cent
sinking fund basis. He said he re-
CARDS that rate as too high.
Kutx Explains Plan.
Chairman Kutz explained that the
commissions idea in fixing 4 per
cent basis was to encourage all Of the
utilities to invest their depreciation
money in the plant.
II the street car companies are per.
lContinYed On Page 2 Column f.