The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-06-08
ECTR|C
MAKES NEW MOVE
Su0cests to City Council That the
Rate Matter be Settled by
s Arbitration, Not
Litigation.
JINGLE IN STATEMENT
Manager OF Utilities Would Have
Friendly Submission Of Issue
to Court and
Committee.
fNGLE IN STATEMENT


Il city council today the Keokuk Elec
4 trio Co seeks rather by arbitration
than by contentious litigation to OBJ
4 tain an adjustment of the differ
3 ences between the council and the
company relative to an increase IN
( the street railway and gas rates. The
q company solicits the council to join
4 with it in presenting the issue to
4 the courts more upon a friendly than
4 unfriendly basis. The company, hav-
/ ing been denied an increase by action
q Of the council, seeks now to have
4 their contentious given court inVesu-
CATION. In fact, it is the only method
Remaining for their adoption. Man
- follows:
Letter to Council.
To the Honorable Mayor and
Commissioners of the City OF
Keolrk, Iowa
Gentlemen:
In view of the recent action OF
! your honorable body, in passing
a resolution refusing the request
OF the Keokuk Electric company
for an increase in its gas rates
and street railway fares, we are
constrained to believe You are in
doubt as to the situation being as
serious as is claimed by this
company.
We believe you desire that the
people of Keokuk suffer no more
than is absolutely necessary on
account OF conditions produced
by the war. In the event our
public utilities are compelled to
h operate at a heavy loss, but one
~vrYk fol ND raQntf
4 viii necessarily affect the entire
H business and other interests OF
4 the city. This effect might prove
more damaging than can be fore
H told.
K Question Of Rates.
The question OF rates, there
fore, should in the interest of the
city, as well as Of this company.
be determined equitably and
speedily. It seems to US that in
stead Of going through prolonged
and expensive litigation, this
company and the city should join
in a request to Judge Wade Of
the United States district court
of this district, asking that he
appoint three competent and dis
interested persons to fully as
certain and determine WneIner
or not the financial condition of
the Keokuk Street Railway and
gas properties Justify an increase
in rates and let their decision be
final and binding upon both this
company and the city.
Why Wade Suggested.
The reason for suggesting
Uy&lu "a1o Ea
pointment is because in the
event OF litigation, the matter
will come before him for determ-
ination and he has in number
of recent similar cases requested
this plan of procedure. By adopt
ing some such plan as the above,
heavy costs and expenses can
be avoided by both parties.
We respectfully ask there
fore, that you on behalf Of the
city Of Keokuk join with this
company in the above or some
other equitable arrangement
Respectfully submitted,
KEOKUK ELECTRIC co.
Signed J. P. INGLE,
Manager.
"The matter has been referred t
The legal department and until r.
port is made by that department
action on the petition OF the electri
company will be Deferred said Ma,
or Ed. S. Lotion. The council pr,
fers to have the legal departmer
look into the legal status of the cas-
before proceeding