The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-22
MOVE TO HALT
WATER HEARING
is FRUSTRATED
Commissioner Orders Rate
Testimony to Proceed;
Cut Is Predicted.

Eleventh hour effort OF the In
dianapolis Water Company to halt
the citys rate reduction hearing be-
fore the public service commission
failed today when Commissioner
Harry K. Cuthbertson over-ruled
the company motion to desist ano
proceeded with the hearing.
Cuthbertson turned a deaf ear II
the plea Of a company attorney, i'm
ported from New York, who con-
tended that mo emergency exists
and it is impossible to cut rates
now
The commissioner pointed out
that in 1913 the company accepted
an increase in rates under the
emergency clause and inferred it
now is the peoples turn" to profit
under the emergency section of the
utility regulation statute.
High Rates to Be Shown
Edward H. Knight, indianapolis
corporation counsel, then stated
the case for the city. Evidence will
show, he said, that both payments
for municipal fire protection and
the minimum rate paid by the small
consumer are greater here than al
most anywhere else in the state or
nation.
William L. Ransom was the New
York attorney whom Cuthbertson
overruled. Joseph Daniels presented
the statement for the company. He
said the company will show that it
now is not making a fair return on
its valuation and that no rate de-
crease will stand.
The company points we're put
into an answer asking dismissal of
the emergency hearing and filed
with Cuthbertson. They will be
that the company is suffering like
other businesses from the depres-
sion, that it never pressed for high
or rates on valuation as found by
the United States supreme court,
that it is large taxpayer and is
financing a large public works con-
struction program and can not cut
rates at this time.
Relief Held Probable
Today's session was brought about
by rate reduction petition of the
city and committee Of citizens
from south side civic clubs.
It appeared likely that relief will
be granted from the minimum
monthly charges to citizens and
change made in hydrant rental
costs to the city
Data presented by Mayor Regi-
Maid H. Sullivans committee
showed that the $3.50 monthly
minimum rate for water here is
higher than in any of twenty-five
other cities Of comparative size, all
being over 100000 population.
It also was brought out that an
nual hydrant rental in cities CT
more than 100000 varies from moth
ing to $50 a year, the average being
below $50. Indianapolis pays COM
parative rate of $1,000, the mayor
commended.
Figures also were introduced to
show that net operating revenue per
capita of the Indianapolis company
is greater than in any other city in
the state, except East Chicago.
This data was provided for the
city by Cuthbertson.
Charges Are Compared
Most interesting to the average
rate payer were figures on minimum
monthly charges. In Milwaukee,
where the city owners it's own water
supply, the minimum charge is but
So year.
Monthly charges in other cities
were charted as follows:
Akron. O.. s1.20; Atlanta. Ga. 81; Gin
oinnati, o.. 40 cents; Columbus. O., 40
cents; Kansas City. so cents: Los Angeles,
81; New Orleans rs cents; Portland Ore.
60 cents; st. Louis, 81: San Francisco, 7s
cents; Seattle. so cents, and Toledo 80
cents.
Baltimore charges 50 a quarter per / 900
cubic feet Boston has a minimum charge
So 40 year and 81 IS auarter Roch CHESTER
N. Y $3.50 a, quarter; st. Paul. SO n
year and Washington. $685. year for
Among tables presented to
strengthen the city's case for ret
duced fire protection rates was a
comparison of costs with those
charged at Los Angeles, showing
that charges for MIGRANTS and SINH
lar service here exceeds that of the
west coast city by $17.10276 a
month.
Fire Protection Costly
Adoption of a new hydrant rental
scale caused a jump in protection
costs from the high point of S1.04
in 1929 to $1.265 in December, 1881,
the city figures showed. This in
crease was authorized by commits
sion approval of the changed hy-
drant rental schedule and at once
increased the city's bill $113,713.20 a
year, it was shown.
Charts also were presented to
show that the small consumer in
indianapolis pays more for water
than elsewhere in the state.
Other data of the city included
business charts showing the great
price drops in materials and sup
plies used by the water company
both in service and plant reproduce
ton; the depressed business con-
dition and unemployment in the
CITY and the need for immediate