The Washington times., 1926-06-11
Some Anxiety for District
Public Utilities

$780, = rendinr in Congress measure that originally drew
from local public utilities much opposition and some fear as TO
lie passage their greatest anxiety that may ran OF
passage. 80. .,.
.aeing higher valuations their properties that
thew NAV ret higher from the public to set aside Tor the
pnsc Utilities Commission sufficient funds to enable that
Commission to make thorough investigation Of valuation
The hill provides funds placed at the disposal the Com
ID may be charged expenditures and returns obtained
from the public meet the payments
The companies would sustain losses thereby but the
Public utilities Commission would be able for the first time IN
its history cope equal terms with local utses corpora
lions Is to valuation claims The Commission would have
it never had before employ experts and specialists
"a anayze all corporation claims and figures and thereby do
Justice to ITSELF to the public and 70 the companies
Cnr gas companies are now making revauation Of their
properties expecting to boost their valuation much that
thew win Get higher gas rates from the people Of the District
There are other valuation questions pending in the courts
and valuation likely to arise before the Commits
sion at any time. <.s
ayy with most anything they claimed TO valuation They
have spent money paid them BY the public without limit TO
employ experts high class accountants and eminent lawyers
When it came Investigations Of these claims the Public
Utilities Commission has been without sufficient funds to
scratch the surface Congress appropate 50 little money
for office personnel that the Commission now realizes that II
Has been utterly unable to do its duto act squarey BY IT.
SELF Or the public It denied the funds TO function as II
should IS placed in the position Of virtually having TO
accept all the claims made to it.
There comes the Commission the impressive hint that
unless sufficient funds given it in the future either
through the bill passed BY the Senate BY direct appropra
tions az Congress- viii postpone passing valuation
claims until supplied with money viii be compelled
to delay It's action upon valuations Tor indefinite periods
until It can Justly satisfy itself that it knows what i is doing
The Commission viii be fully justified IN taking this position
Ii win be doing itself injustice and the public greater
injustice IN The future attempts 70 pass upon the valua-
ton Of any local utility without the thorough nvesga
tiOn the law contemplated
e the House does pass the Senate BILL suitable sub
sute the local gas companies going TO have long and
rough journey before they obtain sanction for valuation
claims the Commission knows nothing about and can know
nothing about without personnel to make Investigations
Chairman Bell Of the Public Utilities Commission Is 70 be-
hcy commended for indicating bis intention 70 refuse to
stuly himself by swallowing all valuation claims and figures
submitted il the future without knowing what BE j. swallow
ing.
No official should be placed il the position Of having to
accent claims until he knows those claims justified
IL the public utilities Of the District want TO tote fairly
with the Commission and with the people Of the District they
should ask Congress give the Commission funds to properly
do its duty and meets its responsibilities There has been too
little light in the past The Commission cannot continue 70
ope in the dark in valuation matters compelled to do
that then let it grope long that utilities win be indefinitely
DELAYED getting hands deeper into the pockets Of Dis
trct people.