davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-13
Situation Is General.

The condition of the street railway
and gas departments of the Keokuk
Electric company is In no way pc
culiar to the city of Keokuk, but is gen
eral to public utilities throughout the
United States at large and this condi-
ton has been brought to the attention
of the Hon. John Shelton Williams
comptroller of the currency of the
United States and caused him, IN
making his annual report to congress
to call the attention Of congress to
the necessity for maintenance Of the
efficiency and credit Of public utilities
companies. Secretary of the Treas
ury w. G. McAdoo, in letter to Presi-
dent Wilson called the attention of the
president to the condition of public
utilities companies and in his letter to
the president stated that Il earnestly
hope that you may feel justified In eX-
pressing the conviction that the vital
part which the public utilities com
panies represent in the life and war
making energy Of the nation ought to
receive fair and just recognition by
state and local authorities
The letter from Secretary McAdoo
brought forth the following letter from
President Wilson, which take the
liberty Of quoting in full:
The White House. Washington.
10 February. 1918.
My Dear Mr.. Secretary:
I have examined with care the
memoranda and letters which
YOU transmitted to me with your
letter of the fifteenth. I fully
share the views you express re-
nnrto
public service utilities as part
Of our national equipment espe-
c;ally in war time. 1t Is essential
that these utilities should be main
tanned at their maximum eff
cheney and that everything rea-
sonabIy possible should be done
with that end in view. I hope
that state and local authorities.
where they have not already done
so will. when the facts are prop
erlv laid before them, respond
PROMPTLY to the necessities Of the
situation.
I shall be glad to have you
communicate with the local au-
thorities whenever the informa-
ton in your possession suggests
that such course IS desirable
and in the national interests.
Cordially yours,
(Sipned) WOODROW WILSON,
Hon. VIM. G.. M'ADOO,
Secretary of the Treasury
pleads General Cause.
feel that the general cause or
the public utilities companies is so
well set forth in the lette- nf the
comptroller of the currency and the
secretary of the treasury that moth
ing that l can say can add further
to II and / especially wish to ask
your consideration Of our petition In
the light of the request OF no lesser
person than the president of the Unit
ed States, that state and local au-
thorities, when the facts are properly
laid before them will respond prompt
ly to the necessities of the situation
Attached hereto is copy In full OF
the excerpt from the annuai report
of the Honorable John Shelton VIII
liams. comptroller of the currency, to
congress, the letter from the secre-
tary of the treasury to the president
ard the presidents letter written IN
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-13

We also show these figures below
as Income" per thousand cubic feet
of gas Sold" operating expenses per
thousand cubic feet sold and pal
ance" per thousand cubic feet OF gas
sold.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-13


BILE that the operating expenses in
our railway department have not In
creased very largely during the past
five years, in spite of the fact that
the price Of all matrials entering into
railway operation have advanced
from so to $50 per cent from the year
1914 to the year 1917. AS an appen-
dix of this letter you will find a list
showing the increased cost OF the
principle materials entering into the
operation of the street railway sys-
tenn. Although the increased cost OF
materials has entered very largely
into the operation of our railway de-
partment, we have, by operating our
cars with one man and by introduce
ing economies wherever practicable.
been able in measure to onset
these increased expenses for the
time, at least.
The decrease In our net earnings,
you will notice, has been largely
caused by the decrease in revenue.
This decrease in revenue is due to
a number of causes, one OF which Is
the ever growing use Of the private
automobile. According to figures re-
Gently published by the secretary or
state, there is an average Of an auto
mobile to every other family in the
state of Iowa, and. the use of these
private automobiles instead of our
street cars is very largely responsible
for the decrease in our revenue.
There have also been number OF
workmen, particularly those employ
ed in the skilled trades, who have
left Keokuk since the beginning OF
the war in order to obtain positions
in munition factories, ship-building
yards, steel works and in construc-
ton work made necessary by the
prosecution of the war. These men.
who as a rule did not own automo-
biles and who were the best patrons
of our railway system nave not only
left town in large numbers but have
taken their families with them. which
has tended still further in large de-
gree to reduce the number OF pas
sengers carried on our cars.
Men Are Drafted.
There have also been large num-
Der Of young men drafted for serv-
Ice in the army and navy M In 9TH
er government work who nave left
town. These young men were also
Patrons of our street railway system.
Due to the increased cost OF all
materials such as groceries, meat.
food products of all kinds, household
goods, dry goods, clothing, furniture.
etc, it has been necessary for all
families to economic in every posi-
BILE way and in the practice of this
economy many people who formerly
rode on our cars whenever trip
from their homes to town or to work
was necessary. now walk II the
weather permits.
The result of this condition is that
much lesser number Of people are
making use Of our street railway sys-
tenn than formerly, and IL we continue
70 operate our street railway system
ut its present standard and give the
same schedule and service for a
smaller number of passengers than
we did in the past for larger num-
Der Of passengers, it is only just that
nese passengers for whom the street
railway system is operated. should
pay a higher fare rs the expense per
passenger is proportionately higher.
'nree Months Comparative Figures.
The abnormal decrease in street
railway riding due to the above con-
m'lons has been much more marked
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-13

Acids ........... ..... 1b2
Bolts .. .. -. ...... 146
Brass ..... ..... ..... 49,. 900
Car forgings ...... 800. -. .216
Castings, malleable ...... -. 19S
Castings. composition -. -. ...1IS
Copper, bar and sheet -. ......14f
DriIIs all kinds ..............19 1872
Lead, pig and sheet -. -. .-...12.
Car wheels . 80. 50
ccrau-S 124
Cteei TOOL 400
Tio n1a+eS w 2T6
-. ----------
Cate City want ads bring results.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-13
response to the letter received from

response to the letter received from
the secretary of the treasury.
Attached hereto is also a pamphlet
giving a list of street railways that
have had their fares increased both
by city councils and by pubic utlli-
ty commissions and also list OF gas
companies that have lately had thelr
rates for gas increased. THESE hsts
are by no means complete but are the
only ones that happen to have avail
able at the present time.
Respectfully submitted,
KEOKUK ELECTRIC COMPANY,
BY J. P. INGLE, Manager.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-13

In the latter part of the year 1914
and the first three months Of the
year 1918 than in the early part of
the year 1917. The revenue, operat-
ing expenses. and balance for the
first three months for the years 1913
to 1918 are as follows:
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-13
Table of Increases.

The following table of Increases
will show in part the tremendous add
ed cost burden" which must be met
in the construction and operation OF
utilities and are on the basis Of the
respective prices of 1915 and 1917:
Article Increase
in Per Cent
Econner wire $50
pine cast iron 100
'PS' oTs
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-13

Gate City want ads bring results.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-13
PRESENT REQUEST
FOR An INCREASE
Keokuk Electric Company Formally
Files With City Council This
Morning Its Reasons for
Added Cost.
GAS RATE AND CAR FARE
Company Wants to Increase Former
to $3.50 and to Get Seven
Cent Car
Fares.
GAS RATE AND CAR FARE

The city council this morning To-
ceiyed from the Keokuk Electric COM
many the formal request for raise in
rates for gas and for street car fares.
The company's request Is presented
in the following form.
Keokuk, Iowa, April u. 1918.
To the Honorable Mayor, Ed. S. LOT
ton. and Commissioners +. j. Hick-
ey and D. J. Kenny.
Sirs: We have this day filed with
your honorable body, request to
pass an ordinance allowing us to in
crease our city cash fares from &c
to 7c and to sell three tickets for zoe,
and also to allow us to increase our
selling price of gas 25c net per thous-
and cubic feet. Our reason for max
ing this request Is, that due to a
number Of conditions. which we will
take up in detail, the cost of operat-
ing both our railway system and our
gas system has become such tina.
with our present income, we are not
earning anything like fair return
on the money invested in the street
railway and gas business and in fact
for the last three months we have not
even been collecting in gross earn
ings. in either the railway or the
gas department, enough revenue to
nav operating expenses, to say MOTH
ing of taxes. depreciation, or interest
on the money invested.
Railway Revenue and Expenses.
We give below a table showing the
revenue, operating expenses and bal
~ooo u, o,,r railway dpDartment by
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-13

You will notice from the apoVe
tables that the operating expenses lol
the year 1917 were 1sc h,gner PEI n
thousand cubic feet Of gas sold tnan IN
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-13

DGuClJ.
You will observe from this table
that not only has the revenue recefv-
ed during these three months de-
creased 90 per cent since 1914, but
va, Income
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-13

Railway Revenue and Expenses.
We give below a table showing tn
revenue, operating expenses and ba
ance in our railway department b
years from 1913 to 1917.
Operating
The Washington times., 1918-08-16
D. c. FOOD PRICES
BEAT C|NC|NNATI'S

The cost of food in Washington is
16.S per cent higher than in Cincin-
natl, according to estimates of the
Bureau OF Markets. The compari-
sons were made July %.
In a statement given out with q
table of figures showing compari-
sons between Washington and Gin
cinnat food prices. the bureau says:
Washington fresh meat prices are
higher than those OF Cincinnati. In
the bread and bread substitute group
Washington is considerably higher.
''In the dairy products the diff
ference in the two cities is not so
marked, Washington being some
what higher on butter and eggs, and
Cincinnati higher on oleomargarine
and cheese. In the fresh meat group
Washington is from to 43 per cent
higher. Washington is slightly
higher on bacon, with Cincinnati
higher on ham Washington ranks
above the Ohio city in flour and corn
meal In all other foods Washington
is slightly higher.
The Washington times., 1918-08-16

ment houses In Washington. by the
terms of which he would have to pay
at least 30 per cent increase over his
present rents, General knight had an
interview with the agent for the prop
erty. What occurred between them
was something like this:
General Knight do not wish To
occupy your property II am really
doing 50 at financial loss to you.
know that the prices Of labor, mate
rials, and supplies have all gone up
and that 1t is possible you should
have increased rentals to meet these
increases. Still. do not feel called
upon to increase my payments with
out knowing definitely that you are
sustaining losses. think the own
ers OF this property are entitled TO a
fair return upon their investment, but
do not recognize their right to arbI-
trarily determine an increase that
may net them an immense return at
my expense or the expense of others.
WIN you tell me what you think is a
fair increase in your rentals
About - Per Cent.
Agent-About % per cent above the
present rates.
General Knight-what is the total
increase in your expenditures each
month over the pre-war period?
Agent-We find that the operation
OF the apartment is costing US over
$500 a month more than In the past
General Rnight-That is a pretty
large increase. II makes an increased
outlay for you Of approximately $4,000
year. What is the total income
from your property each year!
Agent-It varies to some extent
but is around $4,000 a year.
General Knight-Well. as I figure II.
that would entitIe you to an increase
OF only 12h per cent and not % per
cent,, as you claim, basing It entirely
upon your own figures and represen-
The Washington times., 1918-08-16

tations. I shall look into the matter
further.
|. General Knights Ideas.
General knight concludes, from in
formation he has acquired as Dis
| trict Commissioner, that too often
the landlord makes exorbItant and
unfair demands for increased
rentals, but on the other hand It 10
possible that tenants are occasional
ly not doing justice to landlords in
refusing to make any increase in
rentals. There ought to be some
rent tribunal which will investigate
carefully the original investment of
a landlord in his property, the cost
of upkeep and the depreciation.
General knight thinks that the land
lord should be allowed q fair net re-
turn upon his property with q suff-
upkeep and depreciation. By no
means should he be allowed TO gouge
tenants because OF the scarcity Of
houses and war conditions
1t is pointed out that before the
war most apartment houses in WASH
ington were not completely occu-
pied, there being many vacant apart
ments. The war brought q big in
! crease in population. q big demand
for houses. and no apartment build
ing is carrying empty rooms. The
landlords, although subjected to large
! increase in expenditures have profit-
| ed greatly by heavy increases in
rent returns because of full apart
ments.
General knight thinks 1t almost
impossible for q blanket law cover
ing rentals in Washington to be just
all around It Is bound to do in
justice in some instances 70 tenants
or landlords Cases OF manifest in.
justice should be submitted to some
tribunal having power to finally de-
termine what rents are fair and rea-
sonable, both parties to be bound by
the decision for a given period of
time. Its functions would be some-
what on the order of the present
Utilities Commission.
The Washington times., 1918-08-16

swift . Cos sales Of frssn nssf N
Washlnst0n. D. C.. for the week endlnE
Saturday. August 10. isis. avenged 90.fo
esnts Per pounds-Advt
The Washington times., 1918-08-16
COMMUNITY TO GAMBOL

Community activity In Washington
will center tonight at Central High
School, Florida avenue and Thirteenth
street northwest, where a three-hour
entertainment for soldiers, sailors, yeo-
women. and others will be staged. The
program will begin at 7:3O o'clock
and VIII have for its features a mo-
tion picture show and a band concert.
There will be dancing in the school
armory and on the stadium promenade
and arrangements have been made by
Miss Cecil L. Norton, general secre-
tary OF community centers, to enter
tain at least 5000 guests.
The Washington times., 1918-08-16

These rather novel suggestions as
to handling rent problems in the Dis
trict, where rent profteers are try
ing to hoist rents regardless of the
Salisbury resolution, which protects
al tenants in the continuance Of
their present agreements, are sug-
gested in methods employed by Gen.
John G. D. Knight, Engineer Com
missioner of the District.
General Knight is a member of
the Public Utilities Commission,
which has power to determine what
rates shall be paid public utilities in
the District for services rendered to
the public. From his experiences on
that board and his own sense Of fair
ness he has applied a novel policy to
the demands of his own landlord for
a new lease calling for increased
rents, despite the fact that he is pro-
tected against changing the terms of
his lease by the Salisbury resolu-
ton.
What General knight Did.
Receiving recently a request that
he make a new lease for his apart
msnts In one Of the largest apart
The Washington times., 1918-08-16
KILLED IN ACTION.
SERGEANT.


SERGEANT.
n. J., Bayonne, Patrick }. FttEpafriek.
yyis-, Oshkosh, Peter Daniel johnson.
wis, CutIer, Harold c. storasser.
w. Va, Minerva, Floyd ". clay.
CoRPoRAbS.
Iowa. AmeH. Snedeen E. Winter.
Iowa, Glenw00d. ArIO T. PtekreL
IOra, Req Oak. Robert II. Reed.
Iowa. Charles City, Charles J. krnm-
XIV. CstIettsburE. Frederick Dixen.
Wis, shawano, Leonard Besaw.
WIS.,, Friendship, Foster Decoran-
wIs-. Chippewa Falls, George L.
PRIvATEs.
III. ChIeaxo, Arthur BiesenthaL
III. stronxkurut, Ernest FoOte.
Iowa, waterloo, Clarenee L. Behee.
Iown. Charles City, Marshah a
Shannon.
Iova, Shenandoah, George 3. Scott.
Iowa, AIton. Arthur ThOupson-
Ireland, Galway, william Dunne.
Mich, Calumet. John Allaria.
Miaa., ByhaIia, Daniel T. Boswell
Mich, Tallahassee, John o. Gates
Mich, Marinette, Michael HoefeF.
Me-, Belfast, Martin +. Randall. s7 ,'..
Me-, Portland, Pauline PeIlseeia- 80
NO., RushvIIIe, Robert Grooms.
MIeh., wallace, Antoni Kosse~skL
Mich, Port Huron, JOhn h White.
Mont, AnaeOnda, Richard w. Heller.
n. C.. Rose Mary, Joe 3. Whitson.
N. ", New York, Joseph Kaiser.
N. ". New York, Patrick J. Mekeon.
n. ", Schenectady, Dennis r. zeh.
n. n, New York, Patrick A. walsh.
Pa, UnIontown. Patsy Furey.
Tex, sterrett, Joe R. KembIe.
Wis.,, MarshaeId, walter Henry soIes.
Wis, Eau Claire, Matthias Kneer. =.
wis, Milwaukee, George Fred Ro-
Ealska-
wIs.. MarshAeId. Louis AIoysius seIdl.
Wis.,, Milwaukee. Louis A. Iemmer.
Wis.,, South Milwaukee. Maurice G. J..
O'Brien.
Wis, Shswane, MoFitE weigeL
Wis, Hauston. Robert DeeoRah.
DIED OF WOUNDS.
CAPTAIN.
MasS., BrOokIine, HaIIoek weIIen
PRIVATEs.
Argentina, BueRos Aires, Mandel
BeersteL
Ohio, Columbus, Carl A. BohIman.
Mass. Cambridge, George Cody.
w. Va, Berkeley Springs, Dayton L.
DawsOn.
n. D., wIniston. Glenn e. Trowbridse.
n. " BrOolZlyn, John o'Conner.
SEVERELY WOUNDED.
LIEUTENANT.
Ill, Marshall. James Mcconnell
I'LL. Marietta, Daniel w. Jearies-
sERGEANTs.
Conn, FairAeId, John N. Barker.
Conn, Waterbury, Joseph Cunning
ham-
Conn.,, MeFiden, Albert z. Raddatk
Wis., Milwaukee, Fred Holmes.
CORPORALs.
AriE-' Phoenix, Harry C. Carpenter.
Conn.,, Waterbury, Gilbert A. Young.
Conn, Windsor, Walter +. Bareonab.
Conn, WalIInEfOrd, Milton A. Talbot.
Conn, Windsor, Stanley Colody.
Conn.,, WetherSAeId, Bryant L. Burke.
Conn, Hartford, William L. O'DOn-
nell.
Ind, RosedaIe, Clarence James.
Mich, Grand Rapids, Warren r. Town
send.
Miss, Columbus, James F. Kennedy.
n. C., Ashland. Dewey r. Roark.
ZaskOv, Semescha. Mike Bofke.
PRIVATES.
Conn.,, Meriden, Michael shemet.
Conn, TerryVlIIe, Stenti Cwek-
Conn, New Britain, Eugene w. Jones.
Cal, TurlOek, Kahne Dervishian.
Conn, Waterbury, Frank ArEente.
The Washington times., 1918-08-16
By Detectives Evans and Sanders.

by Detectives Evans and Sanders.
Haidiarakos says he is the owner
OF the silver art treasure. claiming II
belonged to his wife. who, he said, is
Of royal ancestry. He said the
PLAGUE had been IN her family since
1922 and was brought to the United
self and two other Greeks at the OUT
break OF the war.
Two weeks ago, Tripolitis made
claim for the PLAGUE and obtained q
warrant for the arrest OF HaidiarAkos,
who will be brought into police court
this afternoon to explain the owner
ship Of the art treasure.
Tripolitis claims the plaeque was
taken from George T. Mason, Of Chi
cago. 20 whom he had intrustsd Il
TO be sold
The Washington times., 1918-08-16
ADVERTISEMENT

Richard ROLAND Kenhey OF Delaware.
at present Major Of the q. s. Army
General John L. Glenn (RetIred). the
drummer boy of shiloh. who was
only II years Of ageI also United
states Judge G. W. Atkinson of the
Court of Claims Of washlnEtOR, and
others. Nuxated Iron II dispensed
By ali good druggists everywhere.
The Washington times., 1918-08-16
SUGGESTRENT
COMMISSION
TODEC|DE ON
ALL DISPUTES
~ ELL PRICE

Pass a law providing a rent
commission for the District, to
which shall be referred disputes
as to rent rates.
Pending the passage Of such a
law let apartment house tenants
organize committees to take up
with the landlords alleged inius-
tices in existing rents or in pro-
posed raises.
AS to houses, tenants may ap-
ply the same process with their
landlords, II desired.
The Washington times., 1918-08-16
ADVERTISEMENT

TO help make str0nE.
keen, red blOOdcd Ameri
eans there n BsthinE In my
experience w. n hGVe
I0unG 20 valuable - orKnnIr
The Washington times., 1918-08-16
Latest Casualty List From
Oversee Forces


sn' ,s,, h Napoieoh d DnS'
c' ue' S.meA ..
~, Deep nNeS EoWare W
-, Soan ~. h~i.tkcws
ILL, ChleaSo' WLliiam ID. Welsh-
itA.H saLerho, MOTHS soIdiVere.
III" FRANK Caruso'
nm Meuhe' Logan N. casey
revere Sohn d Seary:
a- Merces.er, fereiVai =. buuer'
Mass. HaverhIn. Anthony MuIioII..
Ms.. % se.1n; w.Seae1s. wtI1;s% iSS'' = n wsSs.I Ss
hien; hiehnend' Charles Clarkston
dIch- ze.,,,a rho x,,,k.,.
n1t~I o.. xs,,,,-o. r,.-x -
, 1 m 1.,,,,. C
Chsu.Io
N ia c.,,1 ra
D- c c Sonn - y o ~
NJ n, ~ Crenee y. James
n. r. Lackawanna. NICK Pereen-
eev
n. Ns,r YorE- own n. Mco.een.x
Pa, PhiIndeIphIa, Louis Coya.
Pa. BeIlefonte. Harry Garner.
wash, Winthrop, Lester DOdd.
WASH, Yakima, Ralph NJ. Foster.
WASH Seinh, Frank A. Sherman.
WIZ supenol, aeDeI E' Noian'
We, o' =" '"n' n@Soho D'
,,,.r D'' Sonh n. I.a
,,,,s a,,' .,, n
E,ner A nIHo'OeA'
~, -. %
WOUNDED (0EGREE UNDE-
-
'Ghm'NGSJ'
ppYvarr4
N''' -
~ n N.,.h..,.. Aru.,S p,x.,,
n. " New YORK. Iohn y. Cooper.
n. ", Rockville Centre, Louis Lang
deu.
Ohio, Martins Ferry, Job Reese Har-
ris.
Pa, Pittsburgh, George r. Cochran
ntse,No ,A Ar1,oA
."
The Washington times., 1918-08-16
$4,000 PLAGUE
CAUSE OF ARREST

George Haidiarakos. Greek, 21s
John Marshall place. Is held today by
the police on the charge of the lar
ceny of q silver plaeaue, estimated
TO be worth $4,000, said to have been
from Thomas TripolItis, also Greek.
OF Chicago. Haidiarakos was arrest
ed in Scranton, Pa, and brought here
The Washington times., 1918-08-16
90 AT ATLANTA; NO ICE

ATLANTA, Aug. 16.-with the
thermometer registering 90 degrees,
Atlanta faces an acute ice famine
today.
The Washington times., 1918-08-16
NEW ". S. S. POSTER

Az the opening gun Of an inten-
sive campaign urging the public -
promptly redeem the war savings
stamps pledges made IN the June
drive, = strikingly effective poster.
will soon be prominently displayed
throughout the District OF columbia.
II pictures . trio Of soldiers az
machine gun in the foreground. In
stead OF cartridges the gun ls being
fed with q steady stream OF war
savings stamps. The caption Il
.Help Them" and Is followed ~.
Keep Your War Savings Pisdga7
The Washington times., 1918-08-16

The substantial men of coming
years will be those who formed the
saving habit In their youth. Start with
n Thrift stamp today.
The Washington times., 1918-08-16

IEOb-Nu1nted i've N.Y. DR.. JameS
Francis Sullivan. formerly phyuieian
OF Bellevue Hospital (OutdOor Dent b,
New York, and the Westchester Coun-
~ Hospital. Nuxated Iron often In
ereaaes the strength and endurance Of
weak, nervous, rundown people In
two weeks time. II ta now being
uAed by over three million people am
1ualIy, including sueh men rs Hon.
Leslie VI. shaw, formerly Secretary Of