Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1937-07-15

partment prepares the inventory and
appraisal of the physical property in
volved, presents the data at formal
hearings, and advises the Commission
on technical issues involved. 1t keeps
an up-to-date schedule of rates, tolls
and charges for every kind of serv-
ice, together with all rules, regula-
lions and classifications used by the
1925 telephone companies in the
state, in the conduct of their bust
ness, and the handling of correspond
ence relating to telephone matters.
Aids Coop Lines.
The department also makes inves-
tigation of complaints of unreason-
able rates and charges, inadequate
service and facilities, discriminatory
practices, invasion of territory and
other matters pertaining to the serv-
ice of telephone companies.
There are approximately 100 CO.
operative telephone companies in
Minnesota, for whom the department
renders service in the form of engi-
neering advice and assistance in mat
tiers pertaining to the construction
operation and maintenance of their
physical properties.
The telephone department also has
power to inspect and test electric
meters upon petition of at least ten
consumers of electricity within the
territorial limits of any municipality
| Tho nncf ic Ok re
Statistical Department.
The Statistical department is
charged with the responsibility of pre-
pairing accounting classifications and
forms on which utilities under the
Commission are required to make
annual reports; of checking, and
through correspondence or inspection
determining, that the records main
tanned and reports rendered conform
with the rules and regulations pre-
scribe by the Commission.
In all there are % steam railway
and three street railway companies
1925 telephone companies, "a pas
senger and 2,247 truck auto transpor-
ee'tioii companies OpCl DUNG III tllS
state who are required to submit reg
ular reports.
The department examines the rec
ords and accounts of said companies,
and prepares special studies and ex-
hibits showing the cost of the prop
critics, the past, present, and prospec-
tive earnings, expenses and net in
come in rate case proceedings be-
fore this Commission, the Interstate
Commerce Commission, and the
Courts.
Technical Work.
In order to prepare, present and
defend such studies, it follows that
all employees in the Statistical de-
partment must be experienced and
qualified accountants, since any and
all the evidence and testimony sub
mitted is subjected to careful scru-
tiny and the witness presenting same
is subjected to severe cross-examina-
ton by counsel for the company.
The Statistical department cur
rently complies special studies to show
the cost of rendering railway, bus,
truck and telephone services. These
studies are for use in rate case pro-
ceedings and are available to the pub
| lie. AS an illustration of what there
is to contend with in rate case pro-
ceeding, reference is made to the St.
Paul Telephone case, in which the
Tri-State Telephone Company ex-
pended 100000 in the preparation
and presentation of its evidence.
Engineering Department.
The Railroad Companies (28) and
their subsidiaries are required by
law to file with the Commission COM
plete, sworn, detailed reports of ac-
tual cost of road and equipment each
year, and of the additions to and de-
auctions from their physical proper
ties. These reports are analysed by the
department according to the various
railroad accounts and entered on
ledgers for 800 valuation sections by
specially trained force.
The Engineering department has
on file complete maps and profiles of
all railroads in the state. 1t has all
original cost certificates of all rail-
roads built since 1907, and the cost
prior to that, which has been taken
from the books of the various rail-
road companies.
The department makes annual
physical valuations, for taxation pur-
poses, of the railroad properties for
school districts and two mile corpor-
ate limits.
In addition to the above construc-
ton history is kept of each railroad
from the beginning of the first rail-
road which was built in 1862 to the
present day, giving the dates of con-
struction, the number of miles built.
etc.
Big Railroad Investment
The main railroad mileage has
grown from go miles in 1862 to $500
miles in 1885 in Minnesota. Added
to the main, the industries, yard and
side tracks, makes total of approx
imately 1880 track miles, which has
a valuation of over $5OO,OOO,OOO.
Poi1rooI