) xs am os mm. > - GTI atl Lommel A Ss SG CL EE Pn a w THE POST, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1952 | Higher Costs Hit Utilities— Necessitating Rise In Rates (Editor's Note: This is the sec- ond of three articles on the func- tions of the Penmsylvania Public Utility Commission, It deals with the handling of rate cases.) With no letup in sight as the in- flation spiral spins ever upward, privately-owned utilities in Penm- sylviania are caught in the wage- price maelstrom along with com- petitive industry. Utilities, nevertheless, have been required to expand their facilities to meet increased service demands until today their combined plant investment stands at an alldtime high of six billion dollars. Higher operating costs on one hand and expansion on the other have brought many utilities before the Public Utility (Commission seek- ing rate increases, Both the fixed- service type of utility—such as electric, gas, telephone and water —and ‘transportation = companies have laid an ever-increasing mum- ber of rate cases in the PUC’s lap. One of the big questions in the public mind is: What happens when _a utility files mew rates? There's no mystery about the way rates are changed. Here in general, is the picture: Rate changes pare filed on 60 days’ notice tio the commission, ‘or 30 days in the case of common carriers like ‘trains, buses and trucks. When the rates are filed, the PUC tamiff megulations require the utility to submit with them, under oath, pertinent supporting data. * Within a 60-day (or 30-day) per- iod, the commission and its tech- nical experts make a thorough study of this supporting data, the rate structure and overall earmiings. If it appears beyond doubt that the proposed rates do not contain any unreasonable features and that the anticipated earnings are not excessive, the PUC may take no action and thus ‘the rates become effective automatically by law. However, if in the commission's opinion there is any question labout lawfulness or reasonableness of the rates, it can—and does—suspend them for a total period of nine months, An investigation them is held to determine whether the rates are just and reasonable. The Public Utility Law and in- terpretations placed on it by the appellate courts have established definite guides which must be fol- lowed in determining whether rates are reasonable—principally that a utility must be allowed for its ser- vice a fair return on the fair value of its property used and useful in the public service. Under such precedent, the util- ity’s fair value and allowable re- turn are determined by the PUC following public hearings, subject to court review. The PUC has mo jurisdiction lover rates charged by municipal author- ities, a fact not generally under- stood. Further, it has authority only over that part of a kity or borough utility operation which ex- tends outside of the municipality's corporate boundaries. During the abnormal period since 1940 with a constantly rising price level—now highest in ‘the mation’s history—plus the urgent necessity of expending millions of dollars for plant expansion, there frequently is a deterioration in ‘the ratio of util- ity earnings in relation, to the value of property. Many utilities, (therefore, have been compelled to file rate increases with the commission to maintain their financial integrity and con- tinue adequate service. There has been a tremendous expansion in public utility services in Pennsylvania in the last decade. Here are some statistics on the strides made by miajor utility ser- vices: There were almost 3,100,000 elec- tric customers at end of 1951, a 25 per cent increase over 1941. Plant investment was $1,791,000,000, a 48 per cent boost. Annual electric revenues reached $477,200,000,, an increase of 88 per cent, Telephone industry gains were even more pronounced. The 3,300,- 000 stations served at end of last year represented an increase of 95 per cent over 1941. Plant invest- ment increased 90 per cent to $748,- 600,000. Annual revenues went to $235,800,000 a 159 per cent in- crease. Growth of the telephone business is reflected in fhe fact that while only 44 per cent of the families in the state had telephones in 1941, the figure went up to 76 per cent in 1951, or ain increase of 73 per cent. The gas industry had 1,558,000 consumers at end of 1951, an in- crease of 27 per «cent. Plant in- 5 MAIN ST., DALLAS 4-4506 DAILY: Tues. & Fri. 1-5 P.M. EVES: Tues., Wed., Fri. 7-8:30 Eyes Examined © Quality HUNTERS — How's your shooting eye? For safety’s sake—be sure you SEE your game BEFORE you shoot your fellow man. Dr. A. S. Lisses OPTOMETRIST & ORTHOPTIST | 54 S. Main St, WILKES-BARRE 33794 DAILY 9:30 - 5 P. M. EVES. BY APPT. Glasses © Optical Repairs GILES WILSON WHITE HOLLAND and BROAD-BREASTED BRONZE TURKEYS 10-25 pounds—Live or dressed Order Early For Holidays Special Prices for Banquets and Churches | Fernbrook-Demunds Road—Dial Dallas 4-1091 TURKEY FARM For Prompt, Dependable PLUMBING . Phone Dallas 4-7209 HARRY STERLING AVE. & HEATING ASK FOR : | A. PEIFFER DALLAS T. Williams’ Services beyond The cost of a Williams most efficient service. lyon T, : FUNERAL HOME 10 MACHELL AVE. Phone Dallas 4-4101 SERVICES BEYOND COMPARISON Beauty and quiet dignity combine to make Elmer Regardless of cost, every family receives the finest and Comparison. Funeral is decided by you. Williama DALLAS, PA. Teen Clubbers Start Season "Y"* Building Open Every Thursday Night Teen Club of Back Mountain Town and Country YMCA opened its 1952-53 season last Thursday evening for its seventh year. The Club is operated by twenty- five thigh school students, with Counselors, forming the Teen Coun- cil. Meetings are held in the Head- quarters Building fin Shavertown. Last season the Teen (Club supplied recreation, dancing, fellowship and friendship for 189 different young people, most of whom reside in the Back Mountain area, All young people are invited to attend. Table tennis, pocket bil- liards, ‘table games, social and square dancing occupy the hours from 7 to 10:30 pm. each Thurs- day night in the |Shavertown ’'Y’ Building, This year there has only been one change in the rules in respect to age. The minimum age will be based on the age of mem- bers of the 9th grade and the maxi- mum age has been set for 19, no matter whether the youth fis in, or out of high school. The first series of affairs will run from November through February. Admission is by Tenn [Club membership only. Full details may be secured at ‘the Teen Club any Thursday night. Officers jof the Council are: Robert Edwards, president; Ear] Hummel, vice president; (Carol Bogart, secre- tary land Robert Honitz, publicity. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Porter are Coun- selors to the Teen Council and the Teen Club. Daisy Mae To Pursue Li'l Abner At Dance Senior class, Dallas-Franklin Township high school, will sponsor a Sadie Hawkins Dance ‘tonight in the school auditorium. Daisy Mae and Li'l ‘Abner, chosen by popular vote, will be presented during the dance, vestment of $525,200,000 was a 51 per cent hike over 1941. Annpal revenues jumped 122 per cent to $196,300,000. A substantial part of the gas industry expansion is due to fuel piped into Pennsylvania from south-western natura] gas | fields. (The third and last article next week relates primarily to the PUC'’s railroad crossing safety work.) Redskins Roll Up Victory 25-6 Over Wyoming Seminary Squires BY JESSIE CAREY Dallas-Franklin Township Red- skins rolled up their second victory of the season by defeating Wyoming Seminary Squires 2546 on Memorial Field Saturday. Kiarl Landmesser started the game rolling with a pass interception fol- lowed by a 40-yard gallop to give the Redskins their first touchdown. The extra point was made by Tom In the second quarter Landmesser pitched a long pass to Riaubia on the ten, He went for another tally without any trouble. The extra point was wide, In the third quarter, Landmes- ser tossed ‘a lateral to Sam [Fow- ler, who crossed the goal line from the thirteen yard line, The enthusiastic Redskins weren't satisfied with the score. In the fourth period an intercepted pass by Landmesser brought them to the 2-yard line. Tom (Williams carried the ball over the finish line to miake the score 25-0, The determined Squires came back in the last minutes of the game by sending Al [Sisksapoulas over from the four-yand line, bringing the game to a climax with a final score ‘of 25-6. Post-mortem on ‘the game shows that Dallas{Franklin did exception- ally well on passing, completing four out of eight. Squires completed four out of fourteen. Penna. Leads Nation In Ice Cream Output Pennsylvania in September once ‘again led all other states in pro- duction of ice cream, The State Department of Agriculture says. Output for the month was 6,325,- 000 gallons, a drop of 11 per cent from August, 3 per cent under the September average for the five- year period 1946-50, but 14 per cent above production for September 1951. Ice cream production in Penn- sylvania for September this year was over a million gallons greater than the combined output for the | states of Minnesota, Towa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ne- braska and Kansas, Federal {State records reveal. WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS Includes Ice Cream or Jello @® Roast Beef Fall Special THIS SUNDAY Southern, Fried CHICKEN ALSO @ Junior Sirloin Steaks ® Roast Turkey BOWMAN'’S Early American Restaurant 1.35 There is only ONE lon FOAM $89.50 $60.00 Your tape measure can tell you important reasons why Koylon is the finest foam . . . a really full-size mat- tress. Full length; full width, full depth of luxurious 415 inch thick foam. There's no skimping. It’s made from a full measure of pure liquid latex, whipped and super-whipped so that every tiny air-cell is the same minute size. Not too hard, not too soft, Koylon is scientifically designed to give your entire body Equalized Support. U S. X Mallress... ............ 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