The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-12
A BLIC VICTORY

agreement whereby Alabama Company grant
ed valuation for ratemakng purposes of twenty nine
million dollars is the closing chapter victorious struggle
protect the people of Alabama against unjust rate burden In
the beginning the fall of 1920, the firm of and
Erickson chosen consulting engineers by then Public
Service consisting OF Commissioners Kennedy Cooper
and Gaard filed report described analysis of the utility
books fixing the valuation of the property S33S43252
against valuation claimed by utility 1890
firm of Norris Knowles Inc retained by the Alabama Manu-
facurer Association and the Alabama Coal Operators Assoa
on assessed the value wholesale and retail based
ton COSTS 19151920 at S28377 $685. which very
closely with the valuation on the same basis as fixed by Mr.
Mcdonnell consulting engineer of the Public Service Commission
who placed the total at S2s5524 In spite of the
of two authorities the lower value wholesale retail
the protest of President Patterson who then member the
commission adopted the higher value of 3S43252 which,
found in time of very high COSTS to for all time the
basis for charging rates on the ut service the people and
industries of Alabama.
Immediately The AgeHerad challenged
valuation and supported the of President Patterson
the allegations of the consulting the
accountant that there the pos-
ton of such burden the people Alabama The indus
tries of Alabama the then Governor Kby joined in the fight
the public right to deal and fair appraisal the
legislature considering mandatory legislation compel
sheraton when the associate commissioners Galard
Cooper already repudated their record by the people
bama at the polls with the white light of publicity beating
the issue forced order valuation
the of their retirement from office.
And the utility with hope of winning struggle
against justice and the public right is given valuation
million been set by Cooper and Galard and
that time conended for by the Power Company right
valuation In all this struggle which Patter
of the Public Service Commission ably supported
GATES Messrs Frank Morgan Ftzhugh Lee cham
poned by Governor Brandon has stood firmly against the
ton of the high valuation and has outy demanded
to the proper figure.
AS result the of in the state of
Alabama have been relieved of potential burden of
hundred thousand dollars which equivalent retiring
state indebtedness of eight million dollars for this
saved to the potential taxpayers of the state
AS a result Also the industrial appeal Alabama is strength
ened IN that may now safely to prospective investors
there is no danger of increase Aabamas charges
trial power The record shows how continuously the defenders
OF the public must be the alert against encroachment of
selfish interests which enjoy their franchise hands of the
very people they seek to impose through charges
Tor essential service and how rumphanty the public
from and unremng efforts to protect the public
welfare we'll understood that the company
to accehis situation although they might go through the
lure OF perunctory protest Those having the
ton prompting this policy the have shown wis
dom and far-sghted judgment in recognizing rights and
equity of the people,