Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 44, Number 300, 1 October 1919 — Page 9

PAGE NINE 3E 3E (ADVERTISEMENT)

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 1919.

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ul rviiimuiiu xigiiL, Axuat uiiu lunw v-uinpaiiy piac-cd lilt luiiuwmg, a complete copy of its petition for revision of Gas Rates, as an advertise

ment for the information of its patrons to the end that all may understand all of the terms and statements in petition contained. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF INDIANA INDIANAPOLIS, SEPTEMBI R 30th, 1919

NOTICE OF HEARING The Public Service Commission has set for hearing on Saturday, October 4th, 1919, beginning at 10:30 A. M. in the rooms of the Commission, State House, Indianapolis, Indiana, the petition of the Richmond Light, Heat and Power Company, for authority to increase gas rates. Kindly accept this as notice of hearing and govern ymrself accordingly. Very truly, Carl H. Mote, Secretary

THE STATE OF INDIANA THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF INDIANA

In the Matter of the Application of RICHMOND LIGHT, HEAT AND POWER COMPANY, of Richmond. Indiana. For Authority to Increase Rates.

Cause No.

The petition of the above named Richmond Light, Heatnd Power Company (of Richmond, Indiana), respectfully represents and shows: ( 1 ) That it is a Corporation organized and doing business under the Law3 of the State of Indiana. (2) That its principal place of business is in the City of Richmond. Wayne County, Indiana, and that it is a public utility engaged in the ownership and maintenance for prospective operation of an artificial gas manufacturing and distribution plant, and in the management and operation of the distribution and storage system and parts thereof as a natural gas distribution system in said City of Richmond, and in the Town of Spring Grove, immediately adjacent thereto, and in the territory immediately contiguous to the City of Richmond, and all within Wayne Township, of the said County, and that as such public utility it is subject to the provisions of the Laws of the State of Indiana. (3) That under the provisions of the Laws of said State, it is unlawful for any or for this public utility doing business as aforesaid, to demand, collect, or receive a greater compensation for its service and services than the charges now fixed and established, and on the schedules now in force, save and except that such charge is made with the approval of the Public Service Commission of Indiana as will permit r'nd allow greater compensation by reason or the establishment of a new schedule of charges. (4) That now (September 22, 1919), this petitioner has in effect by authority of the Commission, the following schedule of charges for its service:

NATURAL GAS

Next Next Next Next Next

Net Charge 70c 60c 55c 50c 40c 35c 30c 70c

Quantity Rate Discount First 1000 cu. ft. (per month), 80c less-10c.

1000 cu. ft. (per month). 70c less 10c, 1000 cu. ft. (per month), 65c less 10c, 1000 cu. ft. (per month), 60c less 10c, 1000 cu. ft. (per month). 50c less 10c, 5000 cu. ft. (per month), 45c less 10c,

All over 10000 cu. ft. (per mo.) 30c net Minimum rate oer month. 80c less 1 0c,

(5) That this petitioner applies to the Public Service Commission of Indiana for authority to increase its rates and charges for natural gas service, and as of October 1 , 1919, for the following reasons: (a) The source of supply of the commodity by this petitioner distributed, natural gas, is the natural gas fields situate within the State of West Virginia, and at said state same is collected by companies and corporations entirely distinct from and strangers to this petitioner, and same natural gas is then by system of pipe lines transported across the State of Ohio, and delivered to "The Logan Natural Gas and Fuel Company," and by said last named company, sold in wholesale quantities to this petitioner at the corporate limits of the City of Richmond, and the same being there received by this petitioner, same is distributed to its various and several customers within said City, and in the territory contiguous thereto by means of the distribution system owned by this petitioner; and that such gas is delivered to and purchased by this petitioner for all uses other than industrial purposes and leakage losses, at twenty-three cents per thousand cubic feet, and twentyone cents per thousand cubic feet for said industrial purposes and leakage losses, at said corporation line, thus leaving all further charges and expenses and profits if any.

in the aggregate, to be added to said original cost, as a basis for rates and charges made by this petitioner . to the individual customer; and that such course and method of acquisition of distribution and product has been the course and method obtaining for now period of some six years. That said The Logan Natural Gas and Fuel Company now advises this petitioner that commencing with October 1 . 1919, it is and will be required to increase its charge to this petitioner, and to charge this petitioner thirty-five cents per thousand cubic feet of gas delivered, irrespective of subsequent use or loss, instead of the previous charge of twenty-one and twenty-three cents as stated; and this increase of charges to this petitioner is not to be avoided by the terms of any contracts or understandings, and said The Logan Natural Gas and Fuel Company has and enjoys the right to make such increase and proposed greater charge if it wishes and wills so to do. That manifestly such increase in charge being made, this petitioner cannot under any circumstances continue in distribution of natural gas in the territory aforesaid, save and except that it in turn be authorized to increase its charges to its several customers, the same aggregating some sixty-two hundred; and that should this petitioner not be authorized so to do, its only option can bei to resume the distribution of artificial gas by the use of its artificial gas plant situate in said City, and at not less than at the rate $1.25 per thousand cubic feet therefor, as has heretofore been established L the Public Service Commission of Indiana, with the likelihood in face of being required to ask and petition for yet a greater rate for said artificial gas; but such distribution of artificial gas this petitioner does not wish or desire to undertake for the various and several patent reasons. Further, this petitioner would state that whereas and as heretofore for the purposes of taxation, its property has been appraised at $225,000.00, by the appraisement made for purposes of taxation, in the valuation thereof, by the State Board of Tax Commissioners of Indiana, the same property is now appraised and valued at $658,597.00, and that whereas heretofore the taxes paid by this petitioner have been in the sum of $7,875.00 per annum, now upon the new appraisement and valuation and upon the aggregate rate which this petitioner is advised is most likely to be made, viz: $2 00 upon the $100.00 valuation, this petitioner must anticipate an annual charge for taxes in the sum of $13,171.94, or an increase of $5,296.94 if such rate is established as it is believed will be done. Further, this petitioner would state that to its observation and belief, no likelihood obtains, at least within the near or reasonable future, of any reduction in cost for labor, for material, for supplies, or in any of the items of the various and fixed expenses of operation and maintenance of its plant and property, reducing such charges and expenses as now prevail. That, as above stated and set forth, this petitioner is about to be required to pay an increasing charge for gas to it delivered which is fifty-two and seventeen hundredths per cent (52.1 7) in increase over that as at present, and that now this petitioner is chargeable with an increasing expense in the matter of its taxes of sixty-seven per cent (67). That as indicated in paragraph (6) hereof following, in the increase of rates herewith applied for, and in comparison with the percentage of increased costs above, the attention of the Public Service Commission of Indiana is respectfully called to the fact as shown by the table attached hereto and made a part hereof, that the percentages of increases desired run from but twenty-one and onehalf per cent (21 '2) increase, to forty-nine and ninetyseven hundredths per cent (49.97) of increase, and same are so graduated as that the smaller customer usually using such commodity for domestic purposes only, has and receives the lesser percentages of increase as distinguished from the larger user, using the same hearing, commercial and industrial purposes.

(6) That application is hereby made by this petitioner to increase the rates and charges for Natural gas service supplied by this petitioner to its customers, and to put the same in effect as and of October 1 , 1919, and immediately following the reading of meters for services rendered to and including the close of business as of September 30, 1919, and the same as by the following schedule:

Quantity First 1 000

ft. ft. ft. ft. ft. ft.

ah " "v e.

Ml over iuuuu cu. tt. per mo.

Minimum rate per month.

Next Next Next Next Next

1000 1000 1000 1000 5000

cu. cu. cu. cu. cu. cu.

Rate Discount

(per month), 95c less 10c,

(per month), 85c less (per month), 80c less

'per month), 75c er month), 65c

(per month), 60c

45c net 95c less

less

less less

iuc, 10c 10c. 10c 10c

10c

Net Charge 85c 75c 70c 65c 55c 50c 45c 85c

And, in the above it is to be noted that the proposed minimum ratr ' parallel to the smallest step in consumption as above set forth. That attention is respectfully called to the table appearing attached hereto in comparison upon said steps in the present rate and the proposed rate, and the petition for increase and the percentages of increase in charges upon comparison between said rate. WHEREFORE, this petitioner. Richmond Light. Heat and Power Company, prays that after due hearing and investigation, the Public Service Commission of Indiana, make its order granting and in approval of the application as herein made, and in establishment of the proposed rates of charge for service of natural gas, in schedule as submitted in paragraph (6), and the same as of the establishment October 1, 1919; and if for any reason the Commission cannot give a full and complete hearing and investigation as to all facts within the premises pertinent to a final determination that it shall issue its temporary order putting in effect the schedule herein applied for effective as of October 1, 1919, and to remain in effect for and until such time as the Commission can give its more extended end complete hearing, for the reason that it is imperative upon the facts as herein shown and set forth to the proper continuance of service by this petitioner to its customers that the relief herein prayed for be given, and as effective on the date herein stated; and this petitioner further respectfully requests that should the Commission upon its final and complete hearing determine to make and establish rates and charges other than those as herein prayed for, it do establish such as it may find just and equitable in the premises. Dated, at Richmond. Indiana, this twenty-second day of September, 1919. Respectfully petitioned, RICHMOND LIGHT, HEAT AND POWER COMPANY. Petitioner. By Wilfred Jessup, President and N. H. Johnson, General Manager

Present Proposed Per Cent Consumption Rate Rate Increase Increase 1000 cu. ft. .70 .85 .15 2Vx 2000 cu. ft. 1.30 1.60 .30 23 3000 cu. ft. 1.85 2.30 .45 24 4000 cu. ft. 2.35 2.95 .60 25 Vi 5000 cu. ft. 2.75 3.50 .75 27 6000 cu. ft. 3.10 4.00 .90 29 7000 cu. ft. 3.45 4.50 1.05 31 8000 cu. ft. 3.80 5.00 1.20 32 9000 cu. ft. 4.15 5.50 1.35 32' 10000 cu. ft. 4.50 6.00 1.50 33 1-3 11000 cu. ft. 4.80 6.45 1.65 34'$ 15000 cu. ft. 6.00 8.25 2.25 20000 cu. ft. 7.50 10.50 3.00 40 25000 cu. ft. 9.00 12.75 3.75 41 2-3 50000 cu. ft. 16.50 24.00 7.50 442 100000 cu. ft. 31.50 46.50 15.00 48 1000000 cu. ft. 301.50 451.50 150.00 49.97

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