The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-08-23
Aren't Electric Light and Tele-
phone Rates Too High?
By BILL PRICE.

The Public Utilities Commission having reached Just
decision bus fares for the Washington Rapid Transit
Companydenyng the company the right to charge straight
1Oent fareshe public will be led to feel that the commits
sion will conduct Investigations to determine whether
electric light and telephone rates here not high
There many for assuming that this is true and
that the people Of Washington entitled downward
vision Of rates and to Of the money that going
into the pockets of utilities corporations.
The commission found that Transit Company is making
sufficient return fair and that any larger re-
turn would be exploitation of bus riders benefit
Of the stockholders of the company.
It is the duty Of the Public Utilities Commission to en-
courage every form of public transportation for this city and
at the same time permit the people who put real dollars
transit companies to fair honest investment
Is OF course not the duty Of the commission to permit
unreasonable returns that take money the people,
The Transit Company has the pick Of Washington territory
Tor Its business It's officers will doubtless adjust their affairs
80 that they will continue to make good profits at the fare
now charged upon their buses.
All statements regarding the fiscal condition of the Potomac
Electric Light Company owned by the Washington Railway
and Electric Company indicate that the local lighting com
making unreasonaby large enthusiastically too large
TO be fair the of electricity District Of Columbia
The same thing true the Chesapeake and Potomac
Telephone Company which showing huge profits after de-
Quoting large for depreciation and for its parent
pany the American Telephone and Telegraph Company.
Because OF the time financial weakness of the Washing
Ton hallway and Electric Company and financial fatneSs
OF It's rival the Capital Traction Company the Public Utilities
commission ha: for some Intentionally allowed the
1t was entitled had it been separate and distinct
pany without connection with the railway company The
t Sway company was not doing so WELL compared with
tne oner company and the Commission has purposely com
Peo the washington public to pay excessive electric LIGHT
rates 10 keep the railway company good financial share
The only justification for this been the nequities Of the
street railway situation in the District by which one
was getting all the and the other having. hard tme
skinned milk To have done otherwise nioht have
about chaotic situation ~ Ooos
In marketing issue Of bonds recently the fiscal rem
resentatves of the Washington Railway and Electric Com
pn gave glowing accounts Of the combined net earnings OF
ne Two companies for the last three years. For the twelve
months ending May 81, 1924 the NET EARNINGS of thu
TWO corporations after deducng interest charges on total
bonded debt OF for both companies was
aer sum mainly went to interest payments on the pre-
erred and common stocks Of the Washington Railway and
ectilc Company the common stock having been steadily
jumping IN price on the local market for many months owing
70 tne prospects that the heavy electric light rates CHARGED
mere would boost the interest rate on common
racucay the same conditions prevail the local tele
PnOne company which, however has common stock to
and 7. Co. 100 tO'"1''0 " 'De a. /
take it for granted that the Public Utilities Commission
M no" 60 into these questions thoroughly without waiting
Tor the utilities corporations to make move r. a n1o;n1
evident tnat when public utilities company getting the
wOISt OF tnngs is going to set howl before the G.
ana ask for all it get Nobody has observed anv com
plants from the two companies named for some time
Inc public on the other hand has NO REPRESENTATIVE
M own 70 naugurate kick when feels that it is getting
e wCrs! OF tnlngs must depend upon the Public Utilities
COMMISSION to protect it against Injustice and ercessiv
charges Tor service That Commission composed of the
ff;;I who are engaged fourffths' of their
t Time IN handling municipal problems and so have
nIIle Time TO give to public utilities subjects
same thing is true to the counsel for the Public
commission He is likewise Corporation Counsel for
ne OF Columbia for which he receives annual com
Pensauon OF $4,000 AS counsel the p u G. his animal
compensation 1000 Quite naturally he gives the bnI If
nus time to municipal matters
inc utilities companies well able to take care of than
S Dig STATS Of capable who are paid indj
ny the public but WHO protecting the Interests If
the citizens Of the District? $50 ~ -