Pacific Gas & Electric Co. v. Railroad Commission

The special master has made application for an order fixing his compensation under Equity Rule 68 (28 U.S.C.A. following section 723) and rule 56 of this court. In his petition he states that “the reasonable value of the service performed, having regard to all the circumstances thereof, is $50,000. The sum of $7,500 has been paid to the Master by the plaintiff” on account, in accordance with an order of this court made on December 5, 1934.

The master’s report shows that the present value of plaintiff’s property used and useful in the public service is in round figures $112,000,000. Based upon historical cost the commission found the present value to be $105,000,000. At the date of the hearing the amount of the rates in dispute approximated the sum of $4,500,000.

Before the hearing commenced the master was particularly enjoined by the judges *135 to speed the case. To accomplish this, he immediately withdrew from one employment and associated counsel in other matters pending. Delay was occasioned because of continuances requested by the parties to facilitate negotiations for a compromise. The efforts to compromise failed. Testimony was taken before the master, and the record and…