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Show STATE SUGGESTS A CUTJN RATES Due to the depression, the residents resi-dents of the southern and southwestern south-western Utah area served by the Telluride Power company are unable to ment their rxjwer bills, it is contended con-tended in a brief filed with the public utilities commission by Attorney General Joseph Chez and John D. Rice, assistant. The brief recommends recom-mends that the commission allow a 2) per cent reduction in the rate schedules of the company, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. The case was initiated by the com-. com-. mission on its own motion last March, and the following month a hearing was held at Richfield, at which a rather startling picture of economic conditions in southern Utah was painted. The testimony of witnesses wit-nesses from several communities was to the effect that, apart from the utilities, about 25 per cent of the taxes were being paid. The brief points to two duties of the commission: To see that the company's com-pany's investment is protected, and to see that the public is protected.. It is contended that, under the pres-l pres-l ent rates, the investment will not; be protected, but probably harmed.' The brief argues that it would be in the interest of the company to re- duce the rates "to a point which j would be reasonable, taking into con-: sideration the loss in valuation ofj property in that territory, the percentage per-centage of collection of taxes, the ! price of farm products and the earn-j ings of business investments in that area." o |