Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1918-03-07
GENERAL INCREASE
IN RATES
VIII Ask States and Municipalities
to Permit Rate Increases
to Meet War Conditions.
PRESIDENT APPROVES 1T
declares II is Essential That All
Utilities Be Maintained At
Maximum Efficiency.
Special to The New York Times.

Special to The New York Times.
Washington, Feb. 21,--Fullow ing the
receipt If communications from sew
eral OF the big public utility corpora.
ions asking that State and local ail--
tnorities be urged to con idcr quick
iy arguments for readjustme mt of
rats which would tend toward maxi
mum Of ofiicie ncy, vii lam
u. McAdoo, as Secretary of the
Treasury, brought the MATER to the
attention Of President Wilson.
He received today a reply from
the President express ing the convic--
ton that the public uti iti5s formed
a vital part of the war machinery an,
authorizing him to take up with the
proper officials, when circumstances
might make such action advisable,
the problem involved.
Tho representatives. of the pub
lie utilities had brought before Mr..
McAdoo what they believed to b.
the necessity fer a general increase
In rates If service was to be EXTEND
ed to meet the increased demands
OF wartime activities. 1t is possible
that some conside ration may be Civ
en- by the Federal Governm mt to
the question Of extending credit
necessary for expansion. especially
If the War Finance Corporation bill
is adopted.
The Utilities in which the FEEDER
al Railroad Administrative will in
terest itse If are street, raj way, Ii hit,
heat and power compani, s. Where
1t appears necess aIy increases ii
fares or rates may he sugg osted.
McADOo'S APPEAL.
Copies Of the CORE spondence be-
tween the President and Mr. Nc
Adoo were made public today. The
Secretary"s letter to the President
follows:
Feb. Is, 1918.
Dear Mr.. Preside nt:-- L beg to
hand you several memoranda
and letters relating to street rail-
way and other local public utilities
furnishing light, heat, and power,
which l have been asked to bring
to your attention by committee rep
resenting public utility int rests.
These papers indicate the exis--
lance OF genuine apprehension re-
garding the adequacy, ind r prs mt
conditions, Of the services and rates
of local public utilities. The view
Is expressed that inoreas. wages
and the high cost Of essential ma
terials and supplies have affecte d
them as they have effected every
body else, and that united effort wi
be necessary in order to meet alike
the public require ments for serv.-
ice and the corporate financial needs
upon which that service depends.
As Secretary of the Treasury,
must take official notice of these
matters. 1t is obvious that every
part of our individual and economic
life should be maintained at its max
imum strength in order that each
may contribute In the fullest meas
ure to the vigorous prosecution Of
the war. Our local public utilities
weakened. Transportation of work
ers to and from our vital industries
and the health and comfort of our
cftizenss In their homes are depend /
thu n &C r-ul
power to drive many Of our war in |
dustries and many other industries |
essential to the war is produced by
them. 1t may be that here and |
there, because of the promine nee Civ
en- to less important interests, i'm
at hand, State and local
do not always appreciated
the close connection between the
soundness and efficiency of the
ocal utilities and the national
strength and vigor, and do not
with sufficient promptness to
he call for remedial measures.
n such cases. l am confident that
III such State and local authorities
will respond promptly to the ma
ional needs when the matter Is
airly and properly brought before
hem.
! Our public service utilities are,
loosely connected with and are an
part of our preparations for
nd successful prosecution OF the war