Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-03-28

IllGIuuil MClC lIdllulGdpIDtu Ivy
insufficient water pressure on
the hill, and devoted their efforts
TO preventing a spread of flame
10 surrounding buildings. The
roof of DR.. George Ricardo's resi-
dence SOL Frank Street, caught
fire but the blaze was quickly ex-
tinguished.
1t is thought the fire started by
sparks on the roof or defective
chimney Herald.
National and State Banks, and
many thousands of small and
large investors, have suffered
seriously from the decline of the
earning capacity of public utility
Corporations and the consequent
shrinkagc in the value of their Sc
|curitics, representing investments
of many hundred millions of dol
lars. These losses naturally di-
lminish the .pOwer and disposition
of the public to respond TO the
calls of the Government for mon
cy for war. This danger should
arouse, | venture to suggest, the
anxiety and stimulate the efforts
of the Congress and of every pa
triotic citizen. a more urgent and
pressing peril is forced upon our
attention by the obvious fact that
VIC are dependent so largely ON
Tire efficiency and strength of
these corporations and on our
railroads for speed and success
i'm preparing fir and prosecuting
war.
The corporations referred TO
supply light, heat, power and
electric railway transportation
for passengers and freight. They
touch intimately the daily life of
the people. I'm normal times they
have been favorite targets for
snccrs and savage criticisms from
large parts of the public and the
press. I'm some instances, doubt
less, they have deserved and in
|vited hislilily. I'm ithers, the at
lacks upon them probably have
been unjust and unreasonable.
Frequently they have been the
victims or beneficiaries if local
politics, suffering injury in the
end in either case. Yet, generally,
they were able to serve the needs
of their communities with rea-
sonuble efficiency and to earn
flair returns on the money invest
ed in, them. Now they are threat
|ened with ruin. If they are al
llowed to- sink into inefiicicncN
much OF The most important Wal
work of the Government will b'
|crippfed or paralyzed.
The work Of war has Thrown
upon many of these corporations
strains which they are unable l'
lcndurc without prompt help. The
/, cost OF their labor and of all ma
terial for operation, bctterment
land upkeep have increased heav-
lily and suddenly. They are re-
1 ullired to increase radically ant
lduickly their service and Mclli-
Ities.
4 The continued and increasing
deficiency OF these corporation!
lis important for the successful
|co1.duct of the war. This efflcl
|ene,y is not possible with prescn
lconhition. Corporation proved b.
1 the .ir own figures to be approach
ling Bankruptcy can moi Obtain
|mon,cy for improvements or mann
lena nee. On the other hand, bank
land citizens suffering severe liss
los frMm Investments i'm the Secllr
lities of these entirely lrgitlmat
land once promising enterprise
Twill be discouraged from lcndin
Imonev to the Government or de
lprivcd Of the means TO lend.
The first and most direct relic
Ito the public utilities corporatlo
can be- given by The State publ
ulilitic,s commissions and municl
pal an {, local authorities, with Tn
broad minded oo-operatiin OF tn
|pcoplc generally, understandln
1.-The ne. ;essities of war and reall2
: ling Ih ii ttse more promptly IL
burden are accepted the soonf
they wi Va be lifted. 1t is csscnli;
that TO. clearance and considerf
) Ition be exercised by the Stat
Commits sEons and municipal AT
such additions to their charge
tions al SO be permitted to NAL
flor service as will keep in the.
I HE breath of solvency, prote
, ltheir owners against unjust los
: and give them a basis il credit {
[uhich thny NAV obtain the fun(