The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-03-04
McCarI VS.. P. E. P. GOETHE
Costs of Utilities Reyaluations
By BILL PRICE

Comptroller General cCar and the Potomac Electric Power
Company engaged in legal hoities that will in
terest Washington people who have long been &C.
cuoed to the of all legal other enanglements
with District utilities corporations
Mr. NEcCarl decides that the p E. r. Co. shortchanged
the Federal Government in refunds from the famous i'm
pounded electric light fund that the people Of Washington
got something out Of after long fight in the He
orders the collection additional refunds hints
doesn care rap about what the agreement between
the company and the Public Utilities Commission which
sanctioned by the courts
The electric lighting companys position owes the
Government nothing and that the Government long
the advantage of special rates other do get
At any rate are threatened with legal war quite
different from the through which the public got back
of the impounded The difference fight
the public inadequatey represented by
and that the Public Utilities Commission did have
the money pay experts to aid in the thorough preparation
Of It's side Of the case
The electric lighting company spent all the money wanted
In preparing that and win spend fit
combat Mr. Mcar but the Comptroller General win have
plenty Of Government money and backing to support him
This of the supposiion that the electric company
will to final grips with the big accounting mogul
Government who maintains official power every
thing governmental and pay little attention to the
courts.
In making refunds private the r. E. P Co.
just autocratic Comptroller General is on all
matters made its rules and regulations for refunds
and refused to make refunds Maryland
suburban regions though those been paying
and paying the District people, that
because the Maryland patrons within the iu
dicOn Of the Public Utilities Commission and the Maryland
Public Service Commission Indifferent their rights
When utilities corporation autocacy arrayed against
governmental autocracy there ought be real fight
The Washington public win have its rights in the
future protected Congress puts through amendment to
the public utilities act requested by the Public Utilities Com
mission This amendment would require public utilities
poratOn IN revauaon proceedings pay the costs of
revaluation By experts Of the commission
The Washington Gasght Company is preparing make
revauation OF its properties with the purpose seeking
higher gas rates in the District That company win
plenty OF money TO make complete valuation looking after
lbs own interests in most efficient Public Ut
ties Commission has little money to make counter
valuation Is inadequatey supplied with with
funds to check mp thoroughly the gas companys claims
The company has advantage the public which
pays the gross revenues Of this corporation vitality
concerned IN what the property valuations to be-
The gas company any other public utilities concern
seeking revaluation should be willing furnish funds that
WIZ enable the public to make its valuation The funds
come from the public and whatever paid the pro-
lection OF the pubc interests will be repaid the
the reasonable returns it is allowed collect on the
final valuations determined upon by commission and the
courts The company will lose nothing the end either
In money or public good will