London´s franchise question near settlement

The electricity commissioners, after five years of study, have at last worked out a tentative plan for the allocation of electric service franchise rights in Greater London. While the arrangement proposed is recognized as not being in accordance with the best commercial engineering practise, it is the result of a compromise on all sides and will secure at least more efficient operating conditions than exist today. Under the proposal, London and the Home Counties will be served by fewer individual undertakings than at present, there being an association of interests on the part of private companies rather than on the part of the existing municipal systems, and an attempt will be made to coordinate operation by a so-called joint electricity authority.