[U.-1718] IN RE APPLICATION OF THE VILLAGE OF MOSINEE FOR AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS WATER RATES Decided February 10, 1920 MEMORANDUM OF DECISION Applicant, Village of Mosinee, seeks to place in effect the following increased charges for water service: Hydrant rental, $75 per year per hydrant; water for street sprinkling, 10 cents per 1,000 gallons; all vacant lots fronting on water mains, $7; permits, $3; and a minimum charge of $11 per year. Vacant Lot Charge. The charge against vacant lots appears illegal, and will not be authorized. Revenue Requirements. The book value of the plant as of October 22, 1919, was $34,391, which will be increased to $49,391 by present necessary additions. Interest at 6 per cent, and depreciation at 2 per cent, will require, yearly, $3,941.28. Adding to this $180 for operation, $250 for maintenance, and $100 for labor, the total demand on revenues will be $4,471.28. Proposed Increases. The charge of $75 per year per hydrant is reasonable, and will produce revenues to the amount of $1,725. Street sprinkling should not be less than $250 annually, and a reasonable charge for the water fountain is $50. These items will leave $2,446.28 to be met by the sale of water to commercial consumers. Minimum Charge. The $11 minimum charge is presumably of the same nature as the proposed $7 charge against vacant lots, $4 representing the regular minimum charge for the water service. For the same reason that the charge against vacant abutting property cannot be authorized, the charge against such abutting property as is supplied with water service cannot, either, be authorized. The present minimum charge of $5 per year should be retained, the only rates to be increased being those arising from service furnished the village. ORDER accordingly. [U.-1721] E. S. SHEPARD ET AL. VS. CITY OF RHINELANDER Decided February 13, 1920 MEMORANDUM OF DECISION Complainants allege that the water supply for the city of Rhinelander is inadequate and unfit for use. Respondent, recognizing the necessity of providing a more satisfactory and permanent water supply, has taken up the question with the State Board of Health, and is making a further detailed investigation. There are available several adequate and sanitary sources of water, and since the cost of developing these will be materially different and the city is responsible for providing the necessary funds, the choice between these sources should be made by the city rather than any state administrative body. Not only is the location of the pumping station in the center of a lumber-yard section unsatisfactory, due to the danger of fire, but the water is unsatisfactory on account of its high color, and is unsafe for drinking purposes due to the pollution of Boom Lake, and pending the development of a new water supply the boat houses in the vicinity of the lake should be removed, the shores of the lake regularly patrolled and inspected, and the water treated with liquid chlorine. ORDER accordingly, also providing for the submission of a report by July 1, 1920, showing the progress made and the plans to be followed in the development of the new water supply. N.B.-Due to the concurrent jurisdiction of the State Board of Health, the hearing in this case was held and the ORDER signed jointly by the Railroad Commission and the State Board of Health. [U.-1742] THE VILLAGE OF BALDWIN, THE VILLAGE OF HAMMOND, AND THE VILLAGE OF WOODVILLE VS. THE BURKHARDT MILLING AND ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY Decided February 14, 1920 MEMORANDUM OF DECISION Complainants allege that respondent's service is inadequate, and that the rates charged for street lighting are excessive and unreasonable, and should be placed on a metered basis. The complaints are the result of the suspension of service by respondent on account of the refusal on the part of complainants to pay certain charges covering the cost of renewals of street lamps. Discontinuance of Service. Respondent instituted the practice of suspending service in order to protect itself against the malicious theft and breakage of lamps. While respondent has some ground for action in order to protect itself, the procedure adopted is unwarranted, and evidences mismanagement in that such an attitude almost invariably results in complaints against the service, management, or employes of a utility. Service Requirements. The unequal voltage on respondent's distribution lines, due to unbalanced loading, must be corrected. The street-lighting service should also be placed on a metered basis, and the rates so adjusted that it may reasonably be required that all lamp renewals be taken care of by the villages. Revenue Requirements-Rates Authorized. The total investment chargeable to street lighting is estimated at $9,300, on which interest and depreciation will require $1,102 and taxes $185, approximately. The cost of energy for the three systems is computed at $0.0183 per kilowatt-hour, which, based on the present installations, will amount to $654 per year. With the fixed charges as computed above and an adjustment to allow for the renewal of lamps, a charge of 5.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for all energy metered on the low side of the step-down transformer at respondent's substations appears reasonable, with a minimum monthly charge of $110, of which Hammond should pay $40, Baldwin $60, and Woodville $15. ORDER accordingly. [U.-1778] IN RE APPLICATION OF THE CLOVER TELEPHONE COMPANY FOR AUTHORITY TO INCREASE RATES Decided February 14, 1920 MEMORANDUM OF DECISION Applicant, Clover Telephone Company, serving 32 subscribers, seeks to increase its rates for business service from $1.50 per month to $1.75, and for residence service from $1.25 to $1.50. Proper accounting for operating expenses and operating revenues would probably show that under ordinary conditions the present rates would yield sufficient revenue to pay expenses and something for return, but with present labor and material costs, a rate increase is necessary. It must also be considered that applicant operates in a sparsely settled region where the maintenance costs are higher than average. The rates proposed are reasonable. Application granted. [U.-1831] IN RE APPLICATION OF THE WEYERHAUSER ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER PLANT FOR AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES Decided February 18, 1920 MEMORANDUM OF DECISION Applicant, Weyerhauser Electric Light and Power Plant, seeks to increase its meter rate from 15 cents to 17 cents per kilowatt-hour, and flat rates proportionately. The operating statements of applicant show the necessity for increased revenue. Complaints are made of the service on account of variations in voltage, interruptions, and lack of adherence to the established periods of operation. The utility is operated by the former proprietor's widow and her son, who are without technical training, but who are honestly trying to give the best service possible. While under such circumstances the service cannot be perfect, the community needs the operation of this utility and should cooperate with it until outside power can be secured. Even under the proposed rates the plant cannot be successfully operated if considerable patronage should be discontinued. Application granted, the ORDER authorizing a meter rate of 17 cents per kilowatt-hour, and a flat-rate schedule providing rates for residence service based on 25-watt lamps ranging from $1.25 per month for 2 lights to $2.85 for 10 lights, and 20 cents per lamp for all over 10; and for business houses based on 40-watt lamps, ranging from $1.25 per month for 1 light to $5.10 for 10 lights, and 40 cents per month for all over 10. [U.-1689] IN RE APPLICATION OF THE ETTRICK TELEPHONE COMPANY FOR AUTHORITY TO INCREASE RATES Submitted October 14, 1919. Decided February 19, 1920 Application for authority to increase telephone rates granted in modified form; net rates of $13 per year for residence service, $5.50 per year for church and school service, and $6 for extension telephones being authorized. 1. Telephone Utilities-Consolidation of Exchanges Suggestion for the consolidation of the telephone exchanges of the Ettrick Telephone Company and of the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company at Ettrick and Galesville for the purpose of effecting economy of operation, made by the Commission. 2. Public Utilities Law-Duplication of Equipment The spirit and essence of the Public Utilities Law is opposed to needless duplication of equipment and public-utility property. 3. Telephone Rates-Establishment-Elements Considered Where a consolidation of telephone exchanges in a community was found to be desirable and recommended by the Commission, but which consolidation the applicant telephone company refused to effect, the rates to be fixed for such applicant must be based on the costs of separate operation of the exchanges rather than upon the costs as reduced by the consolidation, since under the Public Utilities Law the Commission, in the absence of public convenience and necessity, may not order such a consolidation, and the establishment of rates based on the lower costs would be an attempt to do indirectly what could not be done directly. Application in this matter, dated August 26, 1919, sets forth, among other things, that the lawful rates at present in effect are as follows: Residence Telephones $12 per year, with $1 discount if payment is made during the first quarter of the year. Telephones in Schools and Churches $6 per year, with $1 discount if payment is made during the first quarter of the year. |