The Bismarck tribune., 1922-03-14
CITY BODY IN
DISCUSSION OF
WATER HEARING IL
Two Members To Interview
Railroad Commissioners On
Methods Of Procedure
70 COMBAT INCREASE

Two memberyof the city commits.
sion, Commissioners Thompson anG
Larson, were delegated by the com
mission at it's meeting last night to
meet members Of the railroad COM
mission and ascertain the extent OF
the inquiry to be made in connection
with the water hearings set for May
1. This was decided upon after dis
cussion over the employing Of an ac-
c6untant or a utility rate man in the
case.
1t had been suggested by City At
torney OHare that an accountant be
employed.
L. P. Hunt, engaged in utility prac-
tice, appeared before the commits
sion relative to employment in the
matter, and suggested an investiga-
tion Of all phases of the matter should
he made, going behind the books Of
the water company. Mr. Hunt said
he had been engaged in utility prac-
tice for, the cities of Minot, Grand
Forks, Fargo and others in this state
and larger cities in other states.
Among other cases he said. he had
worked on the telephone cases for
the railroad commission, in which
he said the commission did not have
funds to make complete investiga-
ton, that the telephone company re-
fused to furnish the commission with
certain information and then took
the case into federal court and the
commission was unable to do any
thing. The increase was granted in
this case by an injunctional order.
The case is to be heard on its merits
soon, he said, and the commission
had hopes of defeating the rate in
creases asked by the North Dakota
Independent and Northwestern Bell
Telephone companies.
Asks If Help Asked.
Commissioner Thompson wanted to
know if the citizens who instituted
the water cases wished help, saying
none had appeared before the COM
mission. Commissioner French said
one had spoken to him last Monday
saying they intended to ask aid. Com
missioner Thompson said he was will
ing to spend any money necessary II
the taxpayers wished it, but wanted
to know just what the city was going
to 20, saying that the city got in a
mess in the last case and started in
expecting small cost and Spent sew
eral thousand dollars for attorney
and other fees.
President Lenhart said the city
ought to combat the rate increase
plea, as it would involve an increase
of $4,000 a year or more in water
rates. The opinion was general that
the commission ought to take action
in the cases.
Commissioner Thompson asked
what had become of the other cases in
which the city expended several thou
sand dollars for attorney fees. City
Attorney O'Hare said the appeal from
the previous order increasing the
rates 60 per cent was still pending in
district court, that one case was
thrown out of federal court and that
another case, that to cancel the fran.
chise, was pending but there appeared
not muCn use 10 pursue IL.
To Hold Meeting
Commissioner Larson suggested
that the city commissioners confer
with the railroad commission to as.
certain just what the situation would
be with respect to a hearing, anG
CommNsjoner Thompson seconded
the motion
A special meeting will be held at
o'clock Wednesday to consider en-
ployment Of additional help in thu
case.
City Attorney O'Hare had informed
the commission that a stipulation
was about to be entered to permi
the record in the previous water case
embracing several hundred pages, tt
be included in this case to aid the
commission and save time.
The hearing, which had been set fol
March 30, was postponed by the com
Continued on Page 81