The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-08
INFORM RULE FOR ADVANCED PAY
 FOR SERVICE, NEED
Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile Utilities Show That Gas Extension SerV-
 ice Rules at Variance
By FRED 1T. GoRMIEY Montgomery Bureau, The AEe-Heraid, 221-2 FirBt National Bank Buildlng

Montgomery, July 7.-(Special.)- Need for uniform regulations gov- erning advance deposits to be paid by consumers for extensions of gas and electric service distribution sys- tems has been clearly shown In testi- mony submitted before the Alabama public service commission in connec- tion with the so-cailed service charge case. This testimony, which was prac- tically concluded early Thursday aft ernoon, indicated that rules and regu- lations referred to. which are now in cated also that the regulations ap- piled by the Montgomery Light and Water Power company in making such extensions are perhaps the most equitable that have been presented to the commission.
 Local Men Testify
 Testimony submitted by the Bir- mingham Railway. Light and Power company, having been completed late Wednesday afternoon, when the com mission reconyened Thursday morn- ing at sS0 o'clock, the Alabama Pow CT company was called upon to pre- sent It's answer to the commissions citation. The power company was represented by Judge W. l.. Martin and c. A. Bingham as legal counsel, the two principal witnesses being r. P. Cummings, manager of the new business department, and T. l.. Beac- ham, local superintendent in charge at Albany and Decatur.
 Rules Not General
 These witnesses detailed the method used by the Alabama Power company in making charges for extensions of electric and gas service. their testi- mony indicating that the power cofu- pany does not apply any general reg ulations to charges to customers for service extensions II was explained that these regulations varied in in- ldividual towns. and that local condl- tions largely governed charges made In each case. It was brought out in cross examination by the commission that customers are necessarily com pelled to accept the scompany's esti- mates of advance deposits or charges unless they desire to bring the mat ter before the public service commits sion.
 Company Shares Cost
 s. B. Irelan, receiver for, the Mont gomery Light and Water Power com pany being next placed upon tho stand. filed with the commission, standard printed regulations applying to gas and electric extensions made by the Montgomery company, stat ing that they have been in force for some time. He explained that tho company, after estimating the cost of an extension, stood pro rata part of the cost amounting to s25 on elec- tric extensions and $50 on gas ex- tensions. MT. Irelan told the com mission that these amounts had been arrived at by an analysis of the com- pany's present investments and that the amount credited to new custo- mers coming in on any line was the same prorata amount invested to take care of present customers
 On cross examination by the conn mission, 1t developed from Mr. Ire- lan's testimony. that the average rate collected on electric energy in Mont gomery from lighting customers was .0613 cents per kilowat hour and that the average rate collected for power was .014S cents per kilowat hour. He added that the company collected from municipal sources .02 cents per kilowat hour, and added that the to- tai composite rate collected in Mont gomery from all classes of customers was .0296 cents per kilowat hour. The power cost to tne company for that part of the energy purchased from the Alabama Power company. he said. was mills, while that part of the energy generated by steam cost .0125 cents. These figures were given a. ..... in their relation to extensions.
 One Wire Free
 The next witness to take the stand, was T. k. Jackson, president and gem eral manager of the N ,bilc Electric company. Questioned by F. K. Yer ger. Mobile city attorney. as to how the company estimated advance charges fer electric service extep- sions. MT. Jackson replied that one pole to carry wires was furnished free by the company to each cus- tome~ requesting aE extension. Ad- ditional extensions he added, were charged for and bill rendered to applicants whose credit Is good, after the work has been done. In cases where credit Is not extended, he said an advance deposit might be re- quired. In Mobile, MT. Jackson de- clared. the question or electric ser vice extensions has never been acute, and added that in the past 16 years there probably has been not more than 50 customers who contributed anything to the cost of such exten- sions, adding that the whole amount involved in such contributions would. not, in his opinion, exceed $5,000.
 Power service extensions, Mir. Jackson told the commission, were made free. If they were profitable and noI-competitive. otherwise tho cost of the extension would be charged to the customer and the monthly bill for service rebated 25 per cent until the amount was re- funded. Cross examined by Mir. Yer ger, he said the company's regulations had never been printed. as regarded service extensions. hut that the rules applied were part of the organ izations policy. He stated there had been very few instances in which ex, tensions had not been made becaus3 of opposition by a customer to the. company's extension policy. " Mli EN MEAN