The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1918-04-27
IM'ADOO yEEESiHELP
FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES
WILL ASK STATES AND MUNICH
PAlITtEe TO PERMIT RATE
INCREASES TO MEET WAR
CONDITIONS.
PRESIDENT APPROVES IT
Declares II 10 Essential That Al
Utilities BE Maintained at
Maximum Efficiency.

Tor readtustment, Of rates which would
tend toward maximum OF efficiency
William q. NcAdon e. Secretary 81
the Treasury, brought the matter to
the attention OF President Wilson.
Hs Tscsiyide al ,EslE from the
fresid6tt .e<treAsl4Gc the conviction
that ths. 81, eti}( ~ foss lsd . vital
Hart OF -the v&r mS6hinsry and author
Using him 70 take up with the proper
ohscials. when circumstances mighe
mako such, ection advisable. the lroh
lens involved. "A IN
Tho reprsS sntatives Of the pukis
utilities hsd brought before. Mr. h
Adoo what they believed to be the
necessity for . general increase In
rates II service ives II be extended 70
meet tbs increased Demands OF war
time activities. It 10 possible that
some consideration may be given By
the Federal Government 10 tho quos'
zion OF extending credit necessary fos
expansion. especially H Che War u
nance Corporation bill IL adopted, a.
The utilities In which the Federal
Railroad Administrator win intefeN
itself are street. railway, light, beat.
and power companies. Where II ~
pears necessary increases In fares %
rates may DO seggested
McAdoo's Appeal.
Copies OF the correspondence be
tween the President and Mr.. McAdo0
we're made public. The Secretary's
letter tto the President follows:
Feb. Is. 1918.
Dear Mr.. President; beg to han6
you herewith several memoranda and
letters relating to street railway and
other local public utilities furnish.
ing light. heat. and power. which ]
have been asked to bring to yous
attention by a committee represent
ing public utility interests.
These papers Indicate the exist.
ence OF genuine apprehension re.
Xarding the adequacy. under present
conditions. OF the services and rates
OF local public utilities. The view
Is expressed that increased wages
and the high cost OF essential mator
rails and supplies have Affected them
as they have affected everybody olss.
and that united effort will be neces.
sary In order to meet alike the pub
lie requirements for service and the
corporate financial needs upon which
that service depends.
A. Secretary OF the Treasury. ]
must take official notice OF theSs
matters. 1t is obvious that every part
OF our Industrial and economic life
should be maintained at its maximum
strength in order that each may con-
tribute in the fullest measure to the
vigorous prosecution Of the war. Our
local public utilities must not be per-
mitted to become weakened. Trans
portetion, OF workers to and from our
vital Industries and the health and
comfort OF our citizens In their homes
are dependent upon them. and the
necessary power to drive many or our
war industries and many other In
dustries essential to the war Is pro
duced by them. 1t may DO that here
and there, because OF tho prominencs
given to less important interests i'm
medfately at hand, State md local
authorities do not always appreciate
the close connection between the
soundness and efficiency OF the local
utilities and the national strength
and yigor. and do not resort with SUI.
ncient promptness to the call for rem
edial measures In such cases. ! am
confident that all such State and To-
cal authorities will respond prompt
" to the national needs when the
matter Is fairly and properly brought
before them.
Our public service utilities are
closely connected with aud are an
essential part or our preparations Tor
and successful prosecution Of TINS
war. and the unfavorable tendencies
which the accompanying papers re-
veal may most effectively be chocked.
wherever they may be found toNex.
lat. and the needed relief obtained.
only by prompt. action on the part OF
the respective local authorities.
I earnestly hope that yau may feol
justified in expressing tho convtctiou
that tho vital part which tie pnbl'a
utilities companies Represent m the
life and war-making energy OF inc
nation ought to receive fair ana 1uss
recognition by State and local author
tiles. Cordially yours,
1Sisnet,) w. q. McADOO.
The President. tho White House.
President Wilson'S Reply.
Hers Is tho Presidents reply:
The White House. Washingtoa.
10 February. 1918.
Nv Dear Mr.. Secretary.
have examined with care the
memoranda and letters which you
transmitted to mo With your letter ~
the nfteenth.. fully share the viewp
VOC express regarding to- imp(nH
lance OF the public serytce utilitiea
% part Of our nationa1. eqsn1p
msnt. easpscially In van1mss II y
| essential that these- uti1ltieaS shoaid
be msiutalnsd at their ,msxjmum' en-
cheney and that :. svefythiae NreAsoe-
sbly possible should b done with
| that Ind In tviaw. ] hoDe that Seate
anla local suthoritises wherbi they
have ~ slfeAAy done -. VIII. whsa
! tAe fscfe r. lpsoporiy laedp bsfore
Den. respond promptly 70 the mecca.
| stiles Of the sltuat&oA. ..-,
Il shall BE- go 10 havs, you con.
nunicats WIN he local authorities
when ever the lnfofAation In youE
| posseeslon suGotsts that such Z
eoul3o 10 dssiFnbls and II the -.
tIcual Interests.
Cordially yourg,
.(OlGns1) WooDnOW, WILSON.
| Hen. William q. 8oAeoo. Secrstsry
q ~ Treasury.