New-York tribune., 1922-02-28
Six Experts to
Gather Facts
On Gas Rates
City, Companies aud Pub
lie Service Commission
Each To Name All Engi-
nccr and an Accountant
Select Men This W &c k
Hearing of Protest Against
Increased NcwtOwn Water
Rates On in Queens

Decision TO appoint SIX experts to
draft statement Of data considered
necessary for working basis for the
settlement o. sQuabblcs over gas rates
between the gas companies and tho
city was reached yesterday at con
fcrencc called by Public Service Com
missioner William Prcndcrgast.
An accountant and an engineer will
nc appointed for each Of tho Interested
parties the Public Service Commis-
sion. the city and the gas companies.
Objection to recognition Of the city
authorities a. parties at interest was
offered by William l.. Ransom. repre-
senting the companies Corporation
Counsel John P. O'Bricn argued for
the city
It is understood chat the namcs Of
tho accountants and engineers ap-
pointed bS the city and tho companies
are to be submittcd to the Public Scry-
ice Commission this week so definite
date has been set tor the beginning of
tine work by the sis exports
Mr. Ransom, in obicctng 80 partici-
patton by tho city, contcndod thet tic
consumer was properly reprcBentcd by
the Public Service Commission, not
withstandinq tho fact that The Cor
porntion Counsel insisted on the right
of the Mayor and city Authorities To
protect the people.
lewiston OF Rates Demanded
Commissioner Frrndergast mrdc it
clear ;hat the Public Service Gamn;s-
sion ~dld not approve Of the stand taken
yy Che companics This city, Ike other
municipalities throughout the country.
he suid. lis aCitated about public utili-
tic. it is an obvious fact. 70 tal to
recognize it is 20 fail TO recognize the
state Of the public mind. They believe
the present rate is unfair and they
should have rate that is fair TO them
nnt rot unfair TO vac companics.'
Commissioner Prcndergast, at the
outset of the meeting, mace i clear
chat his plan providing for the appoint
mcnt Of six experts was offered with
q new 10 speeding up the final dispo
sitlon OF rate disputes by having the
accountants and engineers prepare pre-
lmiuarY Data instead OF having il all
pre- onted In the form Of testimony
under direct and crosa examination.
Among others at the meeting were
Deputy Commissioner Ciiver c. Sem
Pile J. A. DYclman jr, attorney fol tAc
Brooklyn Union Gas Company. and
Assistant Corporation Counsels John
Donneily and NJ. u. Fcrtig.
NcNto.n inquiry Begun
Hearing on the application for q
permanent injunction made by Noah
Silborberg, Of OBS Woodward Avenue
Eidgcwood. on behalf Of the consum-
ers of the Citizens Water Company Of
Newtown. to restrain the company
from collecting an increase III water
rates. got under way yesterday in the
Queens Supreme Court. Long Island
CltN. before Justice stephen Callaghan
The courtroom WAS jammed and many
we're unable to gain admittance. J. Ed
Nard Meyer, president Of die Citizens
company, was the principal witness He
testified regarding the companys prop
ortN, giving q description OF buildings
and equipment a the close Of TIE
days session ledgers ard time books
OF the company were brought into
court Other books have been sub
ponacd for TO-DAY BY the plaintiff
Inc company on November 20. 1920
announced chat beginning January J
1921. j would collect an increase it
'ates OF 90 per cent for mctorcd wato
and rom 30 to- 40 per cent increase il
frontage rates. The former mete
atos were So for the first GOO feot O
water, s. for the second thousand fee
and 81 for quantities above the thir,
thousand Ihe frontage rates varie,
greatly. Silherberg testified he Wa
wiling to pay the old rates but refuse,
10 pay the increased rates