Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
M'ADOO SEEKS HELP
FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES
WILL ASK STATES AND MUNICH.
PAlITiGs TO PERMIT RATE
INCREASES TO MEET WAR
CONDITIONS.
PRESIDENT APPROVES IT
Declares IL Is Essential That All
Utilities Be Maintained at
Maximum Efficiency.

Utilities Be Maintained at
Maximum Efficiency.
ngton-Following the receipt
or communications from several OF
the big public utility corporations ask
Ing that State and local authorities
be urged TO consider quickly arguments
for readJustment OF rates which would
tend toward maximum OF efficiency.
William u. McAdoo, as Secretary OF
the Treasury, brought the matter to
the attention OF President Wilson.
lie received reply from the
President expressing the conviction
that the public utilities formed a vital
part OF the war machinery and author.
izing him TO take up with the proper
officials, when circumstances might
make such action advisable, the prob
lens involved.
The representatives. OF the public
utilities had brought before Mr. Nc.
Adoo what they believed TO be the
necessity for general Increase in
rates IL service was TO be extended 70
meet the increased demands OF war
time activities. II is possible that
some consideration may be given by
the Federal Government to the ques.
tion OF extending credit necessary for
expansion. especially If the War III.
nance Corporation bill is adopted.
The utilities in which the Federal
Railroad Administration will interest
itself are street railway light. heat,
and power companies, Where il APP
pears necessary increases in fares OF
rates may be suggested
McAdoos Appeal.
Copies OF the correspondence be
tween the President and Mr. McAdoo
We're made public The Secrctary's
letter 10 the President follows:
Feb. 10, 1918.
Dear Mr. President beg 10 hand
you herewith several memoranda and
letters relating 10 street railway and
other local public utilities furnish
ing light, heat. and power, which
have been asked to bring TO your
attention by committee represent
ing public utility interests.
These papers indicate the exist
encs OF genuine apprehension re-
garding 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 mate,
rails and supplies have affected them
as they have affected everybody else,
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 tho Treasury, /
must take Official notice OF these
matters II 10 obvious that every part
Of our Industrial and economic life
should be maintained at It's 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
portation 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 OF our
war industries and many other In
dustries essential TO the war Is pro
duced by them II may be that here
and there, because OF the prominence
given to less important interests Inn
mediately at hand, State and local
authorities do not always appreciate
the close connection between the
soundness and efficiency OF the local
utilities and the national strength
aud vigor. and do not resort with sur.
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 and are an
essential part OF our preparations for
and successful prosecution OF the
war. and the unfsyorable tendencies
which the accompanying papers re-
veal may most effectively be checked,
wherever they may be found TO ex'