The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-01
A TIME FOR HOUSE CLEANING


procedure will undoubtedly enhening the large orlty
of West Vrginans. hearing member OF the Com
laid principle that natural company serving
West Virginia community is entitled to rate which VIII enable
amorze per cent its entire plant annually for deprec
ton also enable it to make per cent profit out OF It's
operation These very allowances be made after
ordinary repairs and upkeep had been provided Tor.
In other words the Public Service Commission in West
Virginia takes that natural gas company serving
West Virginia communities entitled to rates that represent
about Is per upon after liberal repairs and
additions have been made.
What authority established cent as basis OF depre
citation for gas property?
At the very hearing referred Col E III Grant one
Of the citizens of this state and the who put IN
the Morgantown plant testified that large portions of that plant
installed by him thirty years ago. still in operation were
still in daily use still earning money for the natural
gas company.
According TO the principle laid by the learned member
of the Public Commission these portions Of this property
$40 for their since the property was
installed still intact still being used and still dong
business for the benefit of the company.
During the period according to the principles reccg
nzed by the Public profits Of $40 cent
have been guaranteed to this utility.
What other the face of the earth receives such
lavish consideration such extrayagan compensation as the
Public Service Commission of West Virginia that
proposes only give but guarantee 10 natural gas
companies?
The Congress United States thought providing
literally railroads of this country when wrote into law
directions the Interstate Commerce Commission to provide
railroad rates. that would give minimum earning CT per cent
earning of per the railroads. after fair
allowances had been made and provision for upketp and with
out dragging additional allowance for depreciation
kind In other words the most notable legislation we have
upon this subject legislation passed by the most powerful
representative body the American continent
and dealing with the largest utility organizations IN the world
the provision for assured maximum profit of per cert
considered entirely ample and provision made fer extra
ordinary depreciation charges This national railroad sa
ton quarters been criticized being too liberal to
the railroads yet arbitrary rule established by the Public
Commission in West Virginia proposes to give to the
natural gas companies operating in this state return over 200
per greater than the contemplated fer al the rail
roads in this country.
also be observed that procedure and theory Of the
Public Service Commission this have entirely eliminated
the elements chance from the business the public utilities
The merchant who buys stock of goods to offer for sale
public takes chance depreciation of the goods of bad
debts of difficulties of competition, and thousand other
business complexities and dangers which cut his profits and fire.
quently destroy them.
manufacturer may invest hundreds of thousands of
lars plant designed public interests and has
whatsoever that he will get his money back let
alone being guaranteed exorbant profit his investment
The farmer West Virginia lays out many thousands of
dollars for farm plowS and harrow his land invests his
in seed t his fields his for his labor and
waits often many months for his investment The
may sometimes be profitable Sometimes represent
loss but kindly Public Service Commission arises protect
him. much less guarantee him profit of from Is TO 20
cent his investment.
But the public utilities in West Virginia. and particularly
the natural gas companies enjoying the kindly favor of
Public Service Commission go cheerfuy making such pu
chas for plants and improvements they it, lavish
spirit may hen knowing well that they securely
bu:tressed the dctum that public utility entitled
only every dollar they put but another
per for special depreciation
1t is safe that the history Of Public Service Com
throughout this Union there has been law
procedure absolutely absurd agany indifferent pub
lie interests and utterly without adequate comprehension
of the proper relations of public utility company the public
the proper duties the Public Service Com
mission itself towards the people of the state
It putting it mildly TO say that the procedures Of the
Public Service Commission this state have become stencil
the people The purposes body
created haze been utterly lost sight of Instead being
protector of public has become robbery
and pillage
When he Public Service Commission first created and
during the life of the boards first appointed by Governor Hat