| Show f I ASO GA iES SOUGHT OU HT ion ca callon Ion of 0 the tho t Utah noh tah Gas am an pany for an increased rate rat with the public n will wm be heard b by tin the si sion n November 5 b. The company that at its pres present nt revenues an art ate ate to to meet needed extensions JU n follows petitioner the Utah Gas an am and respectfully represents That it is a corporation cred cre ere dT existing d under the laws of ot th the lutah that Its postoffice ad ad- nd n place of ot business is Salet Salt Sale lt t Utah h nd That That it is a public utility h laws of ot the tate of ot Utah such is duly authorized to ant anc and ture and deliver gas gas t tt to Salt Lake City Utah tc tt Ifor If r light heat and power a That l That petitioners petitioner's rate rates now now t or the sale of gas teas to i If us- us In inthe the city of Salt Lake Utah ate and unreasonably low lown n riot not t afford atford petitioner a reason- reason ur urn upon the value of its prop- prop to the service of its cusand cusand cus- cus and such rates now in effect suffIcient Efficient to enable petitioner n a such new capital as is m time to time to meet the def de- de of f Its customers for additions to its properties used such service th- th thi This application Is based provisions of sections and ande j the e compiled laws of ot Utah j he 3 91 public utilities commis- commis ES ON FILE A certified cop copy of the of-the the ar ar- of ot the petitioner the public utilities como com- com o bf Utah in case No Ko 34 eore petitioner prays that the commission of Utah d ct an 11 in the provided by the statutes of determine what rates are fair 1 as between petitioner customers for gas delivered in I and that when I tiff halt Lake Ir nd Dd d reasonable rates shall shaU n ned petitioner shall II prized to collect such fair fall and tes until t the e further order I ling Brig hig tIle the request for an in- in inI I I tes George R R. Horning Horning- I Manager of Utah Gas and jand I any said j J practically every other public lIthe r the country we are faced problem of ot how to induce new I in our property In or- or t ake ke greatly needed extensions i e When a concern is not pay pay- t return on the money paY paY-I t pent on It in fact when it is nat nat- paying its way investors The Se to provide any more funds nat nat-I nal capital is indispensable I a fl ng an adequate s 's service erl ns o of If f t the he Utah Gas and I iii Y e eVeTT eJi Ji 1 In lb pre lower lo than th the aver J aver 1 ith th r public utilities of a Si nf-I nf i Ecter With the enormous in- in ini i j ost st of materials labor and rating Ung expenses brought on by byh bythe the h company has difficulty meting fleeting current expenses Jake ake k unquestionably will wIIl exI ex- ex rapid growth within the theor theor I or so and the gas company lI d upon by hundreds of ot new t I customers to furnish service And this thi will be absolutely impossible unless I our revenue is materially increased PECULIAR PROBLEMS I This city presents some peculiar I problems in the operating of ot a gas ga gasI company In the first place the wide I streets necessitate a material increase in the footage of gas mains and branch pipes Furthermore only about hall half the homes in the city are using gas and they are and so thoroughly distributed that frequently a block will furnish but three or four customers although the entire block could be served at practically practically I an equal cost so far as distribution distribution distribution I tion of the g gas s is is' is concerned concerned I An estimate of this years year's revenue based upon the months which have al already already already al- al ready elapsed shows that after all operating expenses are paid including labor materials maintenance and taxes the Utah Gas and Coke company's company's company's com com- pany's earnings for 1919 will fall far tar I short of the amount necessary to pay paya payI a fair return on the value of ot the prop prop- erty This condition is serious both I from the standpoint of t tie e company and of ot the city for it makes impossible any growth on the part of the company company company com com- pany to meet even perfectly normal de demands demands demands de- de mands for increased service Our earnings for this year are low In spite of the relief already granted us by the public utilities commission The increase in rates accorded were made as emergency measures They were not deemed adequate to put the company on a sound financial basis unless the cost of ot production was re reduced reduced reduced re- re with the ending of ot the war This reduction did not take place On the contrary many Important items of expense have been advanced We W have asked for no specific In Increase increase in- in crease but have left it to the public utilities ies S I to determine for itself what a fall fair fairand and reasonable re return return re- re turn on the value of the property is and then to fix a rate that will provide this return We Ve shall place every means at our disposal to make the in inquiry inquiry in- in inquiry thorough so 50 th that t b both th the coin coin- mission and the public m may Y feel satisfied satisfied satisfied satis satis- fied as to the urgency of our needs |
