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 representative at 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.
SOME INTERESTING OUT-OF-STATE DECISIONS.
State Prohibition Laws And Eighteenth Amendment.