Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-10-10

10 The PEOP
The officers of the Omaha Electric Light and Power Company
have remained silent during the and half while its rates
and affairs under investigation but that the City
ment has taken important step which vitality affects the rights
and property of this Company the time has for frank
statement to the public
BY the word public meant the people of Omaha who hon.
ey and uneshy opposed unreasonable rates to mpos
ton the of electrical energy OMAHA but who at least
willing that Company shall dealt with JUSTLY This statement
is not addressed factions who hope profit po
cay by loud propaganda against publcervce corporation
Prior August H. 1915 the differences between this Company
and the Mayor and City Commission had reached the point of g
ton and this date the Commercial Club Of Omaha rendered the
City and this Company its good offices for The Clubs
pror accepted by both parties The Special Committee
composed Of the following wellknown citizens:
Mr. A. Sunderland Chairman Mr. F. A. Brogan Mr. F. Far
rngon Mr. George H Kelly Mr. F. S. Knapp Mr. T. j. Mahoney
Mr. McCague Mr. H. Myers Mr. H. A. Thompson and Mr. W.
S Wright
The ability standing and independence Of the Committee
be beyond question On every hand testimony that they
unselfsh unbiased and without political Interior motives
Hence that the Company willingly placed before em with
conceamen change notification record and fact
erg the entire period the Company life and touching the value of
its property for rate-making purposes
Committee devoted eighteen months of time to the prepare
ton of its report and findings and assisted by experts
Of national reputation and unquestioned character
The Committee report found against the Company
ton that all Of the present for adequate
the investment and recommended to the City Commission
that the Company earnings should be decreased in the of
$4,000 per year. the conclusions set forth this
report support of this reduction the Company not convinced
But the ruling recommendation Of the report clear and VITAL
Read it:
ut must be ad however that the Company cannot afford do
business the basis suggesting there is to be
tnuance of the litigation the right to carry all classes of
business the city of Omaha nor the company be compelled
competition other plant established within the city
of Omaha and seeking the business Our recommendation is
based the supposon that both parties the controversy will
accept the recommendation which have made and that all dis
pue which have existed to date will be theeupon terminated
that the may be able reduce its to the basis of
the adjusted expenses upon which have based report
For the Company accept this loss and reduction its
the basis Of litigation and freedom from unstab attack
thing but accept the reduction and continue to bear the bur-
dens of litigation and conscaory assaults quite another thing
The investigating Committee has outlined honorable
promse in which Omaha shall contribute the fair dealing which
should prevail among honorable men, while the Company is to
prove fairness by reducing its rates. That is the spirit and the
letter of the recommendation.
this Company could know that both the officials of the City and
people generally satisfied accept that recommendation and
the action of the public officials thereon fair settlement
all controversies would full compliance with the
the arrangement
far greater civic Importance than the reduction
st HIGHWAYS