The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-10-18
Public Gets "Stung' in All
Public Utilities Questions
Two Interesting Examples Worth Thinking Over

BEGINNING next January the people OF Washington VIII
get lower rate of electricity That rate will approximate
saving of $55o0o0 in electric light bills in 1929
reat stuff consumers will say and there will be public
contentmen The rate will not be nlgn one compared W
rates in most American cities.
Here's how the reduction about: About four years
ago following decision involving the electric lighting
company and impounded funds collected by it. the Public
Utilities Commission entered into agreement with the
Potomac Electric Power Company and that agreement is still
in operation.
Under il the Pepco is to get 7 per return each
calendar year on its established valuation All profits above
To per cent divided equally between the public and
the company users electricity get their share in lower
rates.
Pepco" has made So much money under this agreement
and under prosperous conditions that today of the
biggest among public utilities In the United
States.
Recognized valuation Of Pepco at time $4ooooOo
The Public Utilities Commission estimates that for 1928 the
net profits Of the company will be 10 per cent
return on a mighty high valuation.
After getting its To per cent $1100000 will remain for
division the company and of electricity The
company viii pocket $5500 and the public gets its $o000OO
back in lower rates.
This will go until the company thinks IT getsg the
worst of the Quite advantageous agreement
to tie company which, under all high court decisions and
District utilities laws should be earning cent
valuation.
IL anybody
anything handled by the Public Utilities Commission
take gas hearing before the commission That hearing
obtain higher valuation for the local companies
they may raise their gas rates to consumers No other
object in view
TIE gas companies have their engineer to estimate the
be his joo he did put valuations everything
Undoubtedly he did So He has spent two years on the work
The Public Utilities Commission employed engineer to
make valuation for it, That engineer is liberal that he
actually places much higher valuation many items than
the company engineer doe and the total valuations of the
two experts not so far apart
Here again the public is going to be flmfammed The
Public Utilities Commission should have employed engineer
representing the PUBLIC'S INTERESTS, the the
Peoples Attorney, before the commission supposed to
represent the public
Just why the commission did not give careful
consideration to public interests in this matter is mysterious
What instructions the commission handed the engineer would
be quite interesting at this time
In view this and other things the present commission
into office why the people Washington
skepcal of getting square deal and why local opinion
Is unanimous in charging the commission with strong
procorporation tendencies.
are to have REVELATIONS of public utilities
the Peoples Attorney. before the Public Utilities Commission
and the Federation of Citizens Association
the head valuation engineer employed by the commission
should be explicitly informed that he employed represent
THE PEOPLE OF Washington and that he expected
this in every possible way