The Washington times., 1924-11-19
INVENTORY
FIGURES
ASKED.
Commission Agrees to Wait
Reasonable Length Of Time
For New Data


ed to stave off for four months
the rate reductions proposed by
the Public Utilities Commission.
Through Alexander Britton, at
torney for the corporation, the
company asked that a new valua-
ton Of the company's properties
be made. A. e. Berry, president
Of the company, pointed out that
an inventory could be taken in
three months and an appraisal
made Of the properties in another
month.
Long Delay Is Refused.
Chairman ]. Franklin Bell In.
dicated the. commission would not
delay any rate revisions for q four.
month period, pointing out, how.
ever. that 1t was willing to accept
and consider at any time the re.
suits Of an inventory Of the com.
pany's property.
q proposition for a new valuation
within seventy.five days, following
that up with q sixty.day proposal.
The commission win wait a rea.
sonable time for the inventory Of
the company, Chairman Bell
stated, 1--WE will then proceed to
draw up tentative order looking
TO a reduction Of telephone rates.
This order win be made public
and a formal public hearing called
TO consider it."
Chairman Bell pointed out that
after a rate revision is made and
the company has information to
present which might change the
company's fair value, another rate
hearing would be in order.
Session Is Short.
AS today's meeting was only 4
preliminary investigation, the hear.
ing lasted but one hour. Earl v.
Fisher, executive secretary Of the
commission, was the only witness.
He presented figures showing that
Tor the twelve-month period ending
September 80 last, the company
earned $1,348.094.34. after including
radio as an operating expense, and
" ,465, 1857 excluding radio.
Mr.. Britton, addressing the com.
mission. said the company was now
making a new inventory Of its
property. He suggested the inven-
tory be turned over to commission
experts for checking purposes and
a reappraisal or new valuation II
the company be made. He said
that future rates could be based
on this new valuation. He pointed
out also that the company could
0se no reason for a change in tele-
phone rates ct this time.
Not Expensive, He. Says.
''The inventory and appraisal
would not be expensive to the
people," Mr.. Britton pointed out,
at win save the company from
going into q detailed disputation as
10 the correctness OF the figures
and conclusions Of the commits.
Slon's accountants"
He said he felt sure that the
commission and company would
reach an agreement as to the
proper fair value Of the company.
He gave many reasons for the need
Of an inventory and reappraisal.
William NICK. Clayton, represent
ing the Federation Of Citizens AS.
sociatlon, in a brief statement
pointed out that the telephone
company was the only utility in
Washington whose rates have not
been materially reduced. He OBJ.
jected to any delay in rate revision.
He said a new valuation would
open the door for a long contro-
versy. He declared the people al.
ready have waited months for low.
err telephone rates and declared they
should not be compelled to wait
longer.
-tN Wants Data.
Clayton announced that he had
several questions he wanted to be
answered concerning the financial
workings of the company.
Chairman Bell indie ated he would
seek to get the answers.
The hearing closed when Major
Fell stated the Commission would
draft a tentative order ana call an.
other public hearing. In the mean.
. while the company will seek to ccn.
plete its new inventory before the
public hearing IL called.