The Washington times., 1924-11-18
Early Decision in Potomac
Electric Light Case
Hoped For
By BILL PRICE.

There viii be deep interest throughout Washington in the
decision Justice WENDELL STAFFORD of the Supreme
Court Of the District expected render at early
In the famous involving the valuation Of the properties
Of the Potomac Electric Power Co in the District Of Columbia
The decision should bring about solution Of the electric
light problems Of the District and may return to the
electricity in this city many millions Of dollars that have been
impounded court order representing what the Public
Utilities Commission claims to be overcharge for electric
lighting.
Whatever the eventual outcome Of the case the decision
Of Justice Stafford will 60 far toward clearing many
phcaons that have been irritating the public and which
is doubtful further appeals to the courts in there
should be any from the forthcoming decision will delay
final clearing up anything like long as this case has hung
The Potomac Electric Power Company appealed from the
valuation made by the u O. over years ago. The
appeal went into the hands Of the late Justice GOULD who
had not been in good health and who kept it for long and
careful study for almost two years Justice Gould tore the
cam OF the company to sheds and upheld the vau
toI foud by Commission The company appealed to the
District Court Of Appeals and the later went to the
United States Supreme Court which declined to take ursdc
tion returning the matter to the District courts
It was under orders from the Court Of Appeals that the
District Supreme Court assumed charge Justice Stafford being
assigned to it. The higher held effect that the valu
alton order Of the Commission should included increased
costs Of reproduction between 1914 when the valuation pro-
ceengs were begun and December 81 1916 the date Of
the finding of the valuation That period years
during which construction costs did advance average Of
something like 20 or 25 per cent
The Public Utilities Commission the Pepco properties
to be worth about $11000000 The company claimed its
valuation should be thar double that.
by the Court Of Appeals the addition the valuation the
companys properties would not be $25O0O00 which
would that the of electricity in the District would
get whaling big share of the 100000 fund impounded
by the company.
It would furthermore that before long the impoundg
OF funds would and that the public would pay in electric
light rates definite to the company the collection Of
overcharges to
The Potomac Electric Power Company had no lean or
hungry years during and after days when public utilities
throughout the country suffered untold losses It has steadily
earned and paid to its owner the Washington Railway
Electric Company large dividends much larger than would
have been allowed to collect had not its owning company
been hard pressed.
While the power company prospered at all times the
joriy Of the people this city have gone through many years
that not financially happy The high prices they paid
for everything included electric light rates which be-
eved to include heavy overcharges collected under
order until valuations finally established
The court order directed the power company to keep
careful account with every individual Of electricity
that court decisions are finally favorable to the public
the company will be compelled to return to patron the
amount Of the overharge determined to belong to each
Thousands of have kept their receipts but this has
not been absolutely necessary The companys books viii
enable refund to be made.
It will be delightful feeling to the people Of the District
to day get checks which may total to $600
900 in good old U. S. A. currency.