Steinman v. Edison Electric Illuminating Co.

Citations

• 43 Pa. Super. 77
• 1910 Pa. Super. LEXIS 15

Syllabus

<p>Corporations — Light, heat and power companies — Classification of customers — Rates—Discrimination.</p> <p>1. A light, heat and power company organized under the Act of May, 8, 1889, P. L. 136, may divide its customers into different classes and charge different rates to different classes, provided that the discrimination' is not undue or unreasonable, and that each rate is equal and uniform to all individuals in their respective classes. Thus a company may allow a lower rate for each unit of electric current to customers who consume a certain amount and pledge themselves to deal exclusively with the company for a stated period, than to customers who consume a less amount without binding themselves to take the current for any particular period.</p> <p>2. In such a case, where the court cannot declare from a mere inspection of the contracts that there was an unlawful discrimination, evidence is admissible to show the reason on which the classification was based, the circumstances and conditions that surrounded the company at the time, and the advantages to be derived by it from such classification.</p>