| Show adjustments GRANTED the sale S ale public utilities commission or of illinois who as U S district attorney a few years bears ago headed the federal prosecution in the famous beel trust cases has issued the following foli I public statement regarding the adjustment being made in rates of electric gas transportation and telephone companies to meet existing atter after the war conditions the operation of 0 a public utility presents the same question as the conduct of any other business the cost coat of production determines the pric price 0 which must be paid toy by the consumer the problems lens leris in the management of our local utilities are pre ci clely ciely ely the same as those which must be met by the railroads wages lost cost of materials and supplies and all other operating costs have increased this Is the natural effect of the destruction ol of life and property in the great world war tho same thing followed the wars and the civil war it if these public service agencies are to function at all they must be permitted to obtain the revenue necessary to keep keen them going the increases I 1 necez necessary sary in the case ot of the local utilities are substantially the same as those which have been found necessary and which must bo be allowed to the rail railroads roada the industrial organization of this nation is a unit arid and general economic conditions must bo be recognized for those who are today advocating the doctrine of confiscation I 1 havo only one suggestion the people of this country have never stood for confiscation of property of corroo serious consideration is not notto to be given to theories tho the inevitable on oct oi of which will bo to destroy tho the efficiency of those instrumentalities which have become an integral part of our business organization when the railroads the telegraph the telephone the street car and the lighting and heating beating companies cease to unction function and are unable to keep keel up with the demand 0 of a growing community we have gono gone back bach a hundred years from news service bulletin no 62 june 28 1920 illinois committee on public utility information |
