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they eau illg th lad neefrc1<an commuini r at b(4 borne ou Amctî n v.aï airested at Lak' ayl ea o a clelgcv',. an automobile as a bout liavlng procuri la tu riperate as mucli. lie .nd cuafta belone JuBtice a. aN4 apiealed ta ,tjtý matter Un Gia,. lLir Sioniec estb re1Is'rt irnca r>og", Indicates <lut ury U la [lUlght Knftter: odj drol) train MY bodyl 1 re~il In two; May Ili@ ,Our elle, May 1 bie maIl- Ty welter' ln Wlckpr bDc- b the flamu. or bell; nMAY Boat Iuiertble torture» un.l ire ne Marey ai, tIcs grinea lie sen, if 1 vttaite is ict' VorUd iP ,. to.Ozute VersUone. a dinîcer ln lNev York, a maie cîbo lves wilhUL7 -IîTt irnncrlpt. ur lorm riest ling W hy Rates for-the Service Furnished by the PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY 0F NORTHERN ILLINOIS Had -to ýbe Raised N0 one needs to be reminded that beginning with the Fait of 1914, prices for .L~labor and :material of ail kinds bégan to aoivance, and this advance has been continuous. During this period of nearly six years, this Company bas operated its properties without increasing its rates, except'fQr wholesale power, wholesale ýgas and heating service. . It was possible to continue to operate under these -conditions only by. the practice- of the most rigid economy and uitilization of the most economical units for the production of. both electricity and gas. In order that the Company- might continue to render adequate service to is customets, it became apparent that the policy of selling its product at pre-war prices could no longer be pursued, and that the selling price of its product must be increased. Accordingly, upon our application, filed May, 6, 1920, the Public Utilities Commission of Illinois, by order entered July 31, 1920* (Cases 10569, 10570 and 10579), has granteu an increase in our electric, gas and water rates, effective August 1, 1920. af ter con sideration of the evidence submitted in support of our application, said in its ortier: "Principal among the contentions advanced by the petitioner in support 49f its application for higher rates is the marked increase in operating expenses brou ght about-by the great advance in the costs of labor- and materials. In 1919'the Company used' approximately 440, 000 tons of boiter coal,- 32,000 tons of gas coal, 56,000 tons of water gas generator fuel, and 10,000,000 gallons of enriching oil. A year ago bituminous coat for boiter fuel cost $3.50 a ton at the plants of the company as compared with a present cost of $4,48 a ton and an esti- mated cost after August 1, 1920 of "about $4.86 a ton. The company dlaimns it is enabled to secure coat at. somewhat tess -than th!9% market price because of its interest in the minesbf the Big Muddy Fuel Company in' Williamson County, Illinois and the Indiana Hocking Coat Company in Sullivan, Indiana. Untit April, 1920, the Company purchased an excellant quality of Kanawha Coke for use as generator fuel at a price of $4.75- per ton at the oyen's. This grade of Coke can no longer be secured, and the company is now purchas- ing Connetlsvitte Coke at $15.50 per ton at the ovens, equivatent to about $1 7.90 at the vari- ous plants. Gas-Oit of superior qua ty which sold for 2 or 3 cents a gallon in the èeriod from 191.1 to 1915 can not now he secured and the company, is forced to u se an inferior grade known. as fuel oit, and even'this can be obtained -only with difficutty at prices varying from 10 to 12 ce nts a gallon, for necessary oit purchased on the open market." The policy of this. Company from its beginning and up untWU thé FaIl of 1914 had been to reduce the rates for its service. As soonas it is possible totieerially reduce its costs of service, this Company will request the authorities, having. charge of rates, to authorize a lower rate than the rate now in effect. Because -of the scarcity and exfremely -hlgh price of boiler fuel and gas making supplies, we earnestLy urge al of our customers- to exercise the utmost econorny in' the use of our service. If they adopt this course, it will flot only help us, but it wilI go a long ways toward helping themn in taking care of the increaise in the rates. )BS an, Miinois . 1 The Commission, I PUBLIC iSERVICE COMPANY 0F NORT--HERN ,ILLINOIS