The Cordele dispatch. (Cordele, Ga.) 19??-1971, 1918-02-27
NJ AD0O SEEKS HELP
FOR PUBLICUTILITIES
DECLARES 1T is ESSENTIAL THAT
UTILITIES BE MAINTAINED AT
MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY

MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY
Washington, Feb. 21.-Folowing the
receipt of communications f.om sew
eral of the big utility corporations
asking that state and local authorities
be urged to consider quickly argu
ments for readjustment of rate - h
would tend toward maximum of eff
cheney, William G. McAdoo, as Secre-
tary of the Treasury brought the mat
ter to the attention of President Wilson
He received today reply from the
President expressing the conviction
that the public utilities formed 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.. Me
Adoo what they believed to be the
necessity for a general increase in
rates if service was to be extended to
meet the increased demands of war
time activities. 1t is possible that
some consideration may be given by
the Federal Government to the ques-
ton of extending credit necessary for
expansion, especially if the War Fl
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 is ap-
pears necessary increases in fares or
rates my be suggested.
McAdoo's Appeal.
Copies Of the correspondence be-
tween the President and Mr.. McAdoo
were made public today. The Secre-
tary's letter to the President follows:
Feb. Is, 1918
Dear Mr.. President beg to hand
YOU herewith several memoranda and
letters relating to street railway and
other local public utilities furnishing
light, heat and power, which | have
been asked to bring to your attention
by committee representing public
utility interests.
These papers indicate the existence
OF genuine apprehension regarding the
adequacy, under present conditions. of
the service and rates of local public
utilities. The view is expressed that
increased wages and the high cost of
essential materials and supplies have
affected them as they have affected
everybody else and that united effort
will be necessary in order to meet
alike the public requirements for ser
vice and the corporate financial needs
lpon which that service depends.
AS Secretary of the Treasury.
must take official notice of these mat
ters. 1t is obvious that every part of
our Industrial and economic life should
be maintained at its maximum
strength in order that each NAV con
tribute in the fullest measure to the
vigorous prosecution of the war Our
| local public utilities must not he ner.
mitted to become weakened Trans
9ortation of workers to and from our
vital industries and the health and
'omfort OF our citizens in their homes
are dependent upon them. and the ne
2essary power to drive MANY Of o,,r
var industries and many other indus
tries essential to the war is produced
by them. 1t may be that here and
there, because of the prominence given
to less important interests immediately
VI hand, State and local authorities
do not always appreciate the close
connection between the soundness and
efficiency of the local utilities and the
rational strength and vigor, and do
not resort with sufficient promptness
) the call for Iemidial measures. In
such cases, | am confident that all
such state and local authorities will
respond promptly to the national needs