New Britain herald., 1930-10-08
Johnson, Macora and Falk Not Satisfied With c. l.. & P. Co. "No" and Vote to Ask for Authority to Broaden Field of h. quiry.

Alderman J. Gustave Johnson held out successfully for an inquiry into electric light and power rates in other localities, at a meeting last night of the, special committee of the common council appointed to confer with officials of the Connec- ticut Light and Power Co. in an effort to obtain lower rates, and it was voted to request the council to continue the committee, increase it's membership, or appoint new com mlttee with power to ascertain the rates in effect in cities of about the same size as New Britain.
 Boyle Opposes Investigation
 Councilman w. D. Boyle, who in troduced the resolution for the ap- pointment of the committee, wanted to make a report stating that the committee had conferred with the companys officials and had been told that the latter considered the local rates fair and equitable. He contended that the resolution auth orized the committee to go no furth- CT and he did not favor an inves- tigation of any kind, he felt that it was not proper to include in the re- port any mention of another step. Should Alderman Johnson or other members desire to go into the mat ter in greater detail, they should go about it by way of a minority re- Iort or a separate resolution, he said.
 Alderman Johnson said that all trough he had no part in the in stigation of the move, he felt it his duty to obtain all the information possible and if it was found that New Britain users of electricity had just cause for complaint against the rates. the committee or some other body could decide what action to take. He felt that merely to re- port that a conference had been held and the electric light company told the committee something of the manner in which the business was conducted and considered the rates fair and equitable would make a laughing stock of the committee.
 Suggests Petition to P. U. c.
 Councilman Lucian Macore agreed that the committee should go into the matter at greater length and make application to the pub lie utilities commission for relief if 1- is found that the rates in New Britain are exorbitant. He spoke of the Hartford Electric Light Co. sys- tenn of replacing bulbs without charge and pointed out that it was an important item, especially to business houses. He assured Council man Boyle that the public was in terested in the situation, although Councilman Boyle said he did not believe the public cared at all.
 Alderman Walter R. Talks opin- ion was that the flat rate charged by the company was unfair and many users of electricity cannot un- derstand why they should be obliged to pay for more than they use. Many families go away in the sum- mer months and upon their return they use electricity in one or two rooms because they do not need it throughout the house at that time, yet the fiat rate is assessed on their bill. He thought 1t would be well to communicate again with the electric light company and inquire about this feature, also the matter of re- placing bulbs.
 Nothing Accomplished
 Admitting that the committee has done what the Boyle resolution en- powered it to do, Alderman Falk asked what had actually been ac- complished. He could not see that anything had been accomplished ex- cept that the committee learned that the company considered the rates fair and equitable. He wanted to go further, as suggested by Alderman Johnson.
 Councilman Boyle, who Is chair- man of the committee. said he would not stand out against the wishes of the majority but he will make a minority report if he is present at the council meeting next week. Suppose you do find out what the rates are in other places, what can you do then?" he asked, to which Alderman Johnson replied that at least i've can let the public know we did something in their in terests, because, after all, we are here to represent the public and look after their interests"
 No votes were cast against Alder man Johnston's motion, which was seconded by Alderman Falk, and the council will receive the report, and possibly Councilman Boyle's minor 1ty report, at the meeting next week. D0r.%o- TsI nsL nL