The Washington times., 1923-03-23
VICTORY.
MEANS RISE
IN RATES
Officials Point Out Results IT
Commission Loses Fight in
Supreme Court.
CONTINUED froun Page III

order to get this return increased
charges for utilities would have to
be made. The Commission would
have to call on the public to hand
over nearly $S,OO0,0 900 year, in adj
dition to the many millions they now
pay, in order to allow the companies
to get the per cent.
These statements may appear sur
prising to the average citizen.
Higher rates no doubt would meet
with city-wide disapproval. Citizens
would protest most vigorously. But
IL the Commission followed the law
companies to earn 5000, 900 addi-
tional each year if the valuation
cases are all lost In the courts.
Most Important Case.
Walter G. Allen, executive secre-
tary Of the Commission, declared to-
day that the Potomac Electric
Power Company case is the most i'm
portant local utility case ever pre-
scented In the District courts and
higher courts.
Allen is OF the opinion that some
change In rates would result.
"of course, cannot say definitely
what would happen IL all these cases
were lost in the courts, Allen said.
''The commission, so far as can
see, would have to allow them q
per cent return on the increased
valuation. The only way that can
see to allow them this return - to
increase rates.
1.-THE commission does not favor
high rates. It IL constantly seeking
to lower charges and does 50 when
ever the opportunity presents.
THE loss Of the electric company
case would be almost disastrous.
The Public Utilities Commission is
fighting this Case with all the
strength it possesses"
Keller Discusses Case.
Engineer Commissioners Charles
Keller, Just returned from the West,
today pointed out the Importance
Of the case now pending.
IF the case involved only the
electric company, it would still be
q most important one" he said.
But it involves two railway and
two gas companies, making 1t just
that much more important.
THE commission is making q
strong fight to have the courts slls-
tain. the valuation which it placed
on the electric company. We be-
lieve this valuation IL q fair and
Just one"
Commissioners Keller Is Of the
opinion that other companies win
protest their valuations IL the elec-
trio company wins.
Two direct and immediate results
OF the valuation IL won by the
electric company were pointed out
today as follows:
Consumers would continue to nav
10 cent per kilowa,t hour rate.
but none Of this money would be
impounded. Payment OF this rate
would be an increase Of more than
2 cents per kilowatt hour over the
charge now established by the com.
mission.
Consumers would lose $500 900
now impounded by order Of the
courts.
Consumers would continue to nav
the 81 instead Of the Is cents
minimum established by the COM
mission.
III The Commission Wins.
If the commission wins, this win
be the result:
Consumers win get $4,000, 1000 to
be distributed among 81 900 electric
light users. Each would get at
least SIT, but most OF them would
get more. Some would get as high
as $50 and $500.
Consumers would pay but 7.67
cents per kilowatt hour instead of
the 10 cents per kilowatt hour they
are now paying. The 7.67 cents is
the established rate, but consumers
must now pay 10 cents. The diff.
ference is impounded.
Consumers who use a small
| amount Of electric current monthly
would pay Is cents month. They
now pay 81, the difference being
impounded.
Other utility companies are not
| likely to contest their case in
courts, thus insuring avoiding an
Increase in rates.
William NICK. Clayton, chairman
| or the special committee named bv
the Federation Of Citizens Associa-
ton to consider means Of raising
money toward the $4,000 legal fund
needed to fight the electric case,
conferred yesterday with Conrad
II. Syme, special counsel for the
~S"A~ OGA1IAcS SOIu1l1SS1OH.
Federation To Raise Fund.
Clayton said the interview was a
satisfactory one, and that the Fed
Grafton would proceed Immediately
to raise part of the needed sum.
He predicted the money would be
subscribed by individuals and or
CARNATIONS before the Federation's
next meeting.
Clayton declared today that al
though Syme continued his work
as special counsel it would involve
large financial sacrifice. He de-
ciared that a salary Of $4,000 can
not be reckoned as compensation
for a $4,000, 900 case.
Syme's salary as special counsel
is cut off by an item in the appro-
priation bill preventing the Com
mission from paying for special
legal talent. Syme's salary from
the Commission ends on June 80.
Thirteen hundred dollars of the
needed $4,000 have been raised to
continue Syme in his post another
year. William Randolph Hearst is
giving $1,000, Columbia Typographi.
cal Union, 5000, and Connecticut
Avenue Citizens Association, 500.
Welcomes Syn1es' Assistance.
Frank H. Stephens, District cor.
poration counsel, with whom Syne
is associated in this case, declared
today he welcomed the continued