The Washington times., 1923-11-01
GAS RATE GUT
BY BOARD
LIKELY
Pepco Case and Proposed Bus
Lines Also Before Utilities
Commission Today.

Commission Today.
Definite action on three important
public utility problems is to be taken
this afternoon, it is expected. at the
meeting of the Public Utilities Com
mission.
The first act OF the commission is
likely to be the approval Of an order
reducing the cost Of gas to the pri.
vate consumer from $1.05 to 81 per
j, 900 cubic feet.
After disposing of the gas case,
the commission will discuss the
suggestion that an effort be made
to compromise the valuation case
of the Potomac Electric Power
Company. Two members OF the
commission are said to favor set
Element as q means of avoiding a
legal fight which may continue for
years.
The commission next viii take
up the question Of transportation
to Randle Highlands. A petition
submitted by Col. Arthur q. Ran
die yesterday, asking for permits
sion to operate BUSES on streets
on which street cars now run, is
expected to be denied.
The commission may authorize
the Capital Traction Company to
open a bus line from Seventeenth
street and Pennsylvania avenue
southeast into Randle Highlands.
Gas Co. Brief Filed.
Attorneys George p. Hoover and
Benjamin 8. Minor, representatives
OF the Georgetown and Washington
Gas Light Companies, have filed a
petition with the Commission ask
ing that the present rates stand.
In q brief OF several score pages
the lawyers discuss the case, and
wind up by saying:
ut is submitted that the existing
rate should not be reduced.
Because the undervaluation of
the properties OF the companies
presents equitable considerations
which should have weight with the
Commission in determining what is
q fair and reasonable rate.
Because the companies have
not been allowed a proper allow
ance to cover maintenance and
general amortization:
Points TO Its Service.
with a proper allowance for
maintenance and general amortiza-
tom the rate OF return will not be
unjust or unreasonable to the pub
He.
THE companies should not be re.
gtricted in the rate Of return. so ss
to reduce the earning power to the
extent Of fmperflling their credit and
thus impairing their ability to pro-
vide for the ever-increasing service
demands Of the public.
The efficient manner in which
the properties OF these companies
have been managed, and the high
class service which they have
rendered to the public should be
given consideration I'm determining
what is a fair and reasonable rate"
Conrad Syme, attorney retained
through a subscription raised by The
Washington Times ana The Wash
ington Herald, and Frank Fl.
commission, win attend this after
Moons meeting to advise on the
question Of a compromise on the
electric Hight case.
Action Forces Delay.
There is a probability that action
may be postponed for q few days.
Commissioner J. Franklin Bell, chair.
man. is said to be the only COM
missioner opposing the compromise.
The Randle Highlands Citizens
Association in a. petition to the
commission, asks that the charter
OF the East Washington Heights
Railroad Company be revoked and
that permission be given to the
Capital Traction Company to oper-
ate on this line.
They also ask that IL the first
plan is not feasible that the Capital
Traction Company be directed to
operate motor buses from it's
terminus on Pennsylvania avenue
into Randle Highlands, giving free
transfers to its street car lines.
Oppose RandEe's Plan.
Colonel Rand1e offers to pay the
District cent for each passenger
carried on the buses he wants to
operate alongside the street car
lines. He seeks q franchise. The
commission will turn down this ap-
plication.
James T. Lloyd, attorney for
Colonel Randle, in a letter to the
commission asks that the Capital
Traction Company either be direct.
ed to take over the Washington
Heights Traction lines or that the
latter company be given permission
to operate a through bus service
from Randle Highlands to down.
town Washington.