Discussion on “the best control of public utilities” (Baum), San Francisco, Cal., January 22, 1915, and “class rates for light and power systems or territories” (Baum), Deer Park, Md., July 2, 1915. (see proceedings for January

Discussion at San Francisco A. H. Babcock: The paper is an argument for class rates in charging for electric service, e.g., one set of class rates to apply to an entire power distribution system, regardless of local or competitive or geographical considerations; the rates in the different classes to be determined by, first, demand charges — that is, interest, maintenance, depreciation, operation and management; and, second, energy charges, which shall include only those items that are proportional to the kw-hr. output of the plant. The paper makes no attempt to determine the rates for the different classes, but merely is an argument in favor of class rates. In support of these arguments the author cites the different conditions under which passenger and freight rates are determined by a railroad company, and states that because of the great natural difference in the service rendered there is no confusion on the part of the public with reference to the justice or the equity in the differences found between those two generic classes of rates.