The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1918-02-26


proper officials, when circumstances
might make such action advisable, the
problems involved.
The representatives of the public
utilities had brought before Mr.. Nc
Adoo what they believed to be the ne
cessity for general increase in rates
if service was to be extended to meet
the increased demand Of wartime &C
Invites. 1t is possible that some con-
sideration may be giver by the federal
government to the question of extend
ing credit necessary for expansion, es-
pecially is the war finance corporation
bill is adopted.
The utilities in which the Federal
railroad administration will interest
itself are street railway, light, heat,
and power companies. Where it ap-
pears necessary increases in fares or
rates may 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: I beg to hand
you herewith several memoranda and
letters relating to street railway and
other local public utilities furnish
ing light, heat and power, which I
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 serv-
ice and the corporate financial needs
upon 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 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 OF 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 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 i'm
mediately at hand, state and local au-
thorities do not always appreciate the
close connection between the sound
ness and efficiency of the local utilities
and the national strength and vigor,
and do not resort with sufficient
promptness to the call for remedial
measures. In such cases, am conf
dent that all state and local authori-
ties will respond promptly to the ma
tional needs when the matter is fairly
and properly brought before them.
Our public service utilities are close
ly connected with and are an essential
part of our preparations for and sue
cessful prosecution of the war and
the unfavorable tendencies which the
accompanying papers reveal may
most effectively be checked, wherever
they may be found to exist, and the
needed relief be obtained, only by
prompt action on the part of the re-
spective local authorities.
/ earnestly hope that you may feel
justified in expressing the conviction
that the vital part which the public
utilities companies represent in the
life and war-making energy of the
nation ought to receive fair and just
recognition by state and local authori-
ties. Cordially yours,
(Signed) w. G. McADOO.
The President, the White House.
President Wilson's Reply.
The White House, Washington.
10 February, 1918.