The Washington times., 1930-12-09
ASKS VARIOUS
DATA FROM
?. j. {.
Agrees With Peoples Counsel
Keech Proposed Reduction
Figures Not Large EDough

Figures Not Large E1pugh
Investigation Of rates charged
by the Potomac Electric Power
Company and the operations Of
that company under the consent
decree OF 1925 was started today
by Senator Robert B. Howell tR)
Of Nebraska.
While launching an inquiry into
the electric power situation here,
Senator Howell reiterated his de.
termination to block passage Of
the Gas Light Company merger
bill until he is satisfied that the
present gas rates are fair to the
public.
He Asks r. U. C. Data
Senator Howell began his inves-
tigation Of the power rate Situa-
ton by requesting various data
from the Public Utilities Commits.
sion, which now, behind closed
doors, is considering the schedule
Of rates proposed by the company
for 1881.
Regarded as an expert on pub
lie utilities operations, Senator
Howell today, in announcing his
investigation, declared that he win
bare the entire power situation 10
cally on the floor Of the Senate.
Senator Howell has studied the
operations Of the company for
several years and feels that its
continuous increase in revenues
under the consent decree should
be taken into Sideration In
fixing the light rates for the COM
ing year. The company pro
poses for 1891 q domestic cur
rent rate Of "A cents per kilo'
watt hour. Representatives Of
citizens and Peoples. Counsel
Richmond B. Keech have pro
tested to the Public Utilities Com
mission that the proposed reduc.
ton is not great enough.
He Agreed With Keech
Senator Howell apparently
agrees with Keech, and Is placing
himself in O position where he
can demand either greater reduc-
ton in rates or an abrogation Of
the consent decree under which
the Pepco is guaranteed o mini
mum return Of 7h per cents on
its fair value.
Senator Howell claims that
public regulation Of the utilities
has failed and that in the inter
ests Of the public the Govern
ment is bound to enter into the
operations Of such utilities. While
in Omaha, before coming to the
Senate, Senator Howell operated
the municipality owned gas and
water plant Of that city.
The Senator has long been an
opponent Of the public utility cor
porationS which he has said are
taking advantage Of their In
trenched positions to squeeze ex-
cess profits from the public.
He WIN Oppose Merger
The bill providing for the
merger Of the washington Gas
Light Company and the George
town Gas Light Company will
continue TO meet with Senator
Howell'S opposition. He said TO-
day that he has asked the Public
Utilities Commission for data deal
ing with the reduced schedule
of rates which the gas company
recently inaugurated.
The Senator feels: that it is pos
sible these rates, could have been
further reduced, and If he finds
his opinion borne out by figures,
he will insist upon q further re
duction before granting his con
sent to enactment Of the merger
bill.
Are Anxious to Merge
Senator Howell pointed out that
the gas companies are very a11x-
iouS to merge and asserted that
when utilities corporations want
something from the public, that
is the time to obtain reduction In
rates charged to the. public.
The Senator is opposed to In
Guiding in the rate base Of the
gas companies any factor for Ego
ing value" He insists that the
"going value" has been paid for
by the public and has not been
provided by capital of the gas
company. He maintains that 1t
is unfair to charge the public
rates based upon something for
which they have paid.
TYIsI1 nn.S