The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1918-05-04
M'ADOO SEEKS help
FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES
WILL ASK STATES AND MuNlck
PALITIEs TO PERMIT RATE
lNcRgAsEs TO MEET WAR
CONDITIONS.
PRESIDENT APPROVES IT
Declares u 10 Essential That Az
Utilities Be Maintained at
Maximum Effcleney.

ing that State and local authorities
be urged 20 consider quickly arguments
for readiustment OF rates which would
tend toward maximum OF efhcisncy,
william @. McAdoo, as Secretary Of
tho Treasury, brought the matter TO
the attention Of President Wilson.
He received q reply from the
President expressing the conviction
that the public utilities formed a vital
part OF the war machinery and author |
iEing him TO take up with the proper
officials, when circumstances mlshi
make such action advisable, the prob
lens involved.
Tho representatives OF the public
utilities had brought before Mr. Nc
Adoo what they believed to be TINS
necessity for n general increase In
rates IL service was TO be extended W
meet the increased demands OF war
time activities. II 10 possible tina,
some consideration may be given oy
the Federal Government TO the Quss'
ton OF extending credit necessary TOT
expansion. especially TX the war fb
nance Corporation bill 10 adopted. :,
The utilities In which the Federai
Railroad Administration WAL Interest
itself are street, yHNwayl pGnI aee~
and power companies. where IL sp
pears necessary increases In fares y
rates may be suggested. $500.
MeAdoe's Appeal.
Copies OF the corrsspondsnce be
! tween tho President and Mr.. McAdoo
were made public. Tho Secretary's
letter 10 the President follows:
Feb. II, 1918. .
4, bear Mr.. President-f beg TO hand
you herewith several memoranda and
letters relating 90 street railway and
other local public utilities furnish.
ing Light, heat, and power, which
have been asked to bring to your
attention by n committee represent
Ing public utility interests.
These papers indicate the exiso
snee OF genuine apprehension re
xarding the adequacy, under present
conditions. OF the services and rates
OF local public utilities. The vie"
"a expressed that increased wages
and the high cost Of esseutial mato
rails and supplies have affected them
"a they have affected everybody else
: and that united effort will be neces
gary In order to meet alike the pup
Lie requirements for service and I'M
: corporate financial needs upon whici
that service depends.
Al Secretary OF the Treasury,
. must take Official notice or thes
matters. IL is obvious that every par
D OF our Industrial and economic III
. should be maintained at It's maximum
D ,trenRth in order that each may cor
tribute In tho fullest measure 10 IN
vigorous prosecution OF the war GU
Y local public utilities must not be pei
Il mitted TO become weakened. trans
= nortption OF workers TO and FROM GU
vital industries and the health an
comfort OF our citizens In their home
- are dependent upon them, and IN
necessary power TO drive many OF on
war industries and many other IL
duatries essential 10 the war Is PR
n duced by them. IL may be that her
VI ana there. because OF tho promlnenc
Y given TO less important interests IN
mediately at hand. State ana zoe.
authorities do not always apprecla'
!, the close connection between "a
! soundness and efficiency OF the loc'
utilities and tho nstlonal SIRENS
and vigor. and do not resort Win su
ncient promptness TO the cail ior 'en
edial measures. In such cases ! a
confident that all such STATE anu
cal authorities VIII RESPOND pIo",
9 Ix 10 the national needs wneh l.
matter is fairly and properly orous'
before them. ,u,, =,
a; .,oaeIv connected with and are .
" essential part OF our preparations :.
: and successful prosecution OF u
w.r and the unfavorable tendenci'
which the accompanying papers
veal NAV most effectively be checke
/ vbereyer they may be found TO 9
go ,et and the needed relief obtaine
he onIv by prompt action on the part
an. resnective local authorities
earnestly hope that you may re
gu ,u.,tnea in expressing the convict'
by that the vital part which the pup,
res utilitiea companies represent IN
uy Iifa and war.making energy OF
me nation ought TO receive fair ana ~
% racoynition by state and local auth'
re- tiles. Corulaliy YOU ',ADoo
ieI Thu President. the White House
~ President Wilson's Reply.
u Hare is the Presidents reply;
e" The White House. Washington
me 10 February. 1918.
~ Nv Dear Mr.. Secretary:
have examined with care I
Tor memoranda and letters which
to transmitted to mo with your letter
csc the fifteenth. | fully share the vie
res you express regarding the imp
ard lance OF the public service utllil
|, 70 as part OF our nationAi wv
- meut. especially in wartime. ~
~ Essential that these utilities sho'
uei be- maintained at their maximum
epl cheney and that everything reas'
ual ably possible should be done S "
ing, that end in view. hope that sti
'me and local authorities where ~
have not already done 80. WILL WI
orn the facts are properly laid pet'
mr. them. respond promptly to the nee
SOW stiles OF the situation.
80 / shall be glad to have you g
~ muricate with the local authorit
ahu when ever the Information In y
possession suggests thst sSeh
the course is desirable and IN the
ifnu II LAT