The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-09-30

Samuel P. Senior, president. of the Bridgeport Hydraulic company, today makes special statement regarding the proposed increase in meter rates, which has the advantage of closing in complete and accurate language ev cry avenue by which the change might be used to increase the rates of household consumers. Households are mostly on fiat rates, but many tenementS are on meter rates. MT. Seniors views are expressed in the following language:
 The Bridgeport Hydraulic company is about to apply to the Public Utili- ties Commission for permission to raise certain of it's rates. Because of contract entered into between the City of Bridgeport and the water company in 1906 the city becomes party in the matter and there is therefore pending before the Com mon Council a petition asking for ap- proval of this purpose. In order. to make perfectly clear the attitude of the Hydraulic CompanyQ and the ex- tent to which it proposes to alter wa ter rates Times representative sought an interview with the com panys officials and obtained a state ment which definitely sets out its po sition.
 we naturally approach the matter of increase in rates with a great deal of hesitancy,'' said MT. Senior, presi- dent of then company, mot because of the fact that our position is not a-b- soluteIy justified, but because of the conditions generally which exist in industry. This company has, under its charter, an obligation which it has never hesitated to fully meet-that of furnishing a wholesome supply of good, pure water 70 the community It was only whsn this condition was threatened that we felt obliged to seek relief through additional income. The rates charged for water were continu- ed without. interruption during all the period of the high cost of materials, increases in wages, and correspond ingly terrific increase in construc- ton.
 We tried through strict economy to overcome these by a reduction of our overhead, but fixed charges over which we had no control like taxes and increase in the cost of new money for construction, placed us in a po- sition where the relief now asked for became imperative For instance, our interest charges in 1915 were $23,- 900, while last year they were $204,- 900, most of which difference was due to the fact that we were obliged had been issued on five per cent. basis, on current rates. Our taxes, which in 1915 amounted to 5000 this year were $143,0O0.
 We will file a petition with the Public Utilities Commission asking it's endorsement of an increase of the minimum meter rate of three cents per hundred cubic feet to six cents
 
 ing this, however, we have interview eo all the large users of water, placed all our cards on the table and eX- plained our position frankly. The minimum charge for metered water in Bridgeport is far below that of any city of which we have any knowledge The increase we ask for will leave it below cities similarly situated.
 ''The change in rate will affect about 125 consumers. It will in no way affect the household or domes- tic rate which is now on what Is known as a flat rate basis. In other words, to be perfectly explicit, no per son who pays less than S7S-75 per quarter will be in any way affected by the change proposed. We believe these rates, to be near as we can ascertain, fair and reasonable, and in looking to an adjustment we feel it only fair to leace these rates IS they are and get the increase from where it should properly come.
 'tThe Manufacturers Association as a body has endorsed our position and we have asked the Common Council to consent to a change in the rate in the hope that with it's consent the Public Utilities Commission will SC its way clear to approve of it. Our resolution before the council clearly and emphatical1y states that the pro- posed change will in no way affect the householder There are a few