_In re West Shore & Seashore R. R. Co._--Application to discontinue
maintaining an agent at Forest Grove, as revenues do not warrant expense
of the agency; the place to be put under the supervision of the agent at
Minetola, who would keep the station open, lighted, etc. The Board permitted
the discontinuance, adding that "if future conditions change to the
extent of warranting the re-establishment of an agent, the matter will
be given further consideration." Report dated Nov. 4, 1921. Mr.
George A. Bourgeois for the Company. Mr. Joseph Little and Mr.
Charles H. Lincoln for Protestants.
Another application was made at the same time by the same Company for
the discontinuance of the agent at Buena. The Board said: "While the
reasonableness of the Company's desire to reduce operating expenses is
recognized, the discontinuance of the agent would undoubtedly result in
inconveniencing shippers and receivers of freight and express to an
extent that would not be justified considering the volume of business.
The necessity for the presence of an agent or clerk for a portion of the
day is manifest, and arrangement should be made to have a
representativeat the station from 8 A. M. until 1.30 P. M. daily,
excepting Sundays: also that the station be kept open during the hours
it is at present open for the convenience of passengers. If the Company
will arrange to have a representative at the station for the transaction
of necessary business from 8 A. M. until 1.30 P. M., and keep the
station open covering hours now in effect, the Board will approve such
an arrangement in lieu of agency now effective." Report dated Nov. 4,
1921. Mr. George A. Bourgeois for the Company. Mr. Charles Wray for
Protestants.
_In re Pennsylvania R. R._--Application to discontinue an agent at
Allaire. Permit granted. Report dated Nov. 4, 1921. Mr. W. Holt
Apgar for Petitioner.
_In re City of Newark._--Application for a change in the colorific
standard of gas. The Board was about to investigate the rates charged
for gas by the Public Service Gas Co., when the City of Newark gave
notice of a demand for an increase in the standard. "There was thus,"
said the Board, "injected into the proceeding a question which had to be
decided before the Board's investigation into the rates could proceed,
it being impossible to fix a price for gas until the Board should fix
the standard for gas under Newark's petition. The rule fixing the
standard for gas being applicable to all gas companies in the State,
general notice of hearing was given, and the gas companies were
represented." Testimony was begun in August last, and the general
purport appears in the Report. The Board said: "It does not appear that
the gas supplied by the Public Service Gas Company compares favorably
with that furnished by other companies, which, confronted by the rule
[IX of the standard adopted by the former Utility Board] alone, have
applied it in accordance with its apparent literal significance. The
rule, however, should be free from any misunderstanding as to its
meaning. As the Public Service Gas Company supplies the greater part of
the gas consumed in the State, and to now require it to change its
interpretation of the rule might result in undesirable complications in
the rate proceeding being conducted by the Board without corresponding
advantage to its customers, it is deemed inadvisable to insist upon such
change. In order, however, that there may not be a continued apparent
conflict between the rule as worded and the practice of the Company, the
Board will change the wording of the rule so that there will be no doubt
if gas is supplied with a minimum daily average of 525 B. t. u. it will
be in compliance therewith." Report dated Nov. 4, 1921. Messrs. E. W.
Wakelee, E. A. Armstrong and G. H. Blake for Public Service Gas Company.
Mr. Jerome T. Congleton and Mr. J. G. Wolber for the City of Newark. Mr.
George L. Record for City of Jersey City. Mr. Benjamin Natal for City of
Camden. Mr. William A. Kavanagh for City of Hoboken. Mr. Joseph T. Hague
for City of Elizabeth. Mr. A. O. Miller for City of Passaic. Mr. William
P. Hurley for Town of Nutley. Mr. Welcome W. Bender for Chamber of
Commerce of Elizabeth. Mr. F. R. Cutcheon for Consolidated Gas Company.
Mr. S. J. Franklin for Cumberland County Gas Company. Mr. H. S. Schutt
for Atlantic City Gas Company. Mr. William Wherry, Jr. for New Jersey
Gas Association. Dr. W. G. Hanrahan for Rent Payers' Association of
Essex County and Federation Improvement Associations. Mr. James W.
Howard on his own behalf.
_In re Blackwood Water Co._--Application for increase in rates. The
Board required, first, that changes must be made in the system so as to
provide for continuous operation of the filter plant, additional power to
operate the pumping machinery, etc., six different improvements in all.
Doing this the Company could make certain increases in rates beginning
Jan. 1, 1922. Report dated Nov. 9, 1921. Mr. Lewis Starr for Petitioner.
Mr. Samuel P. Hagerman for Township of Gloucester.