Hammond Times, Volume 14, Number 147, Hammond, Lake County, 9 December 1920 — Page 8

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Ivit th- rr- ntini iit "n tin- imrt tif tln ao inuni- $ 1 c.nl i.ui'.ioiitiir. in rhiirm; of water

;irnl itthcr utilities who have

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conditions, t.i incrt:sp their rates. These

I'fiinanciit 11n - t iu.tlioriti"s resent luiviiin to seeuro thoj

i Uul.ul'eU Cilli-'loyt. ol lit .Nv-r'.-l-t . 1 IUIaJiU Oil tit iiH-CtlH: .ilUll, i. .-.t..ei ail lie, i.utnls ol l.ic u.0 ...4t..ioi, atii-iuu ti . ii. .oeCL.n ii ...cu v ii.-i itciii 'i aoiy ; . n.tmniouu C.itt.iiuci- ol CumJ. 1 IV'llla. .M.aixll, tht- conil'any'a a'Jj.iotu. i uLiiticvl lor tut nu'i'tius n.l I. . .: luu lpt'lllll HJul't.!. .tlullvll i ..'.jiM were- Usui tu lUusirule the ..." ta.Ks wnica tvera made . . .H iu n ueiierel uii imeiestiiiS i., vi...vfi was iDiioWi'J by atiutn. i .c . l-i . tiident Mo.. icll,ktm. i, ,.niiiils ;.i)J it uuiu-c wound up I no c . i.liiB- ... a. sjiifch -Mr. lelliIain. who nv , .... aUuiJoil tuo tiauotiiii laoolins v. to .meiiLaii ii.iSLti.it ion at N ., ,.rit. hail a iiuiiiIkt of ideas t v, . . ... nt to h! tieaiers. lie- spoke U: I ... t follows: i want to speak to "U for a few :,ut .nt-s tonight on what you can do to a jrolM r l'oeling in the coinmunh. i.ivoi'il the conioinv- which jjives . u . mi lo yinent. ". oil cm do more as individuals in jour uaily intercourse with your friends m ,1 neighbors to create the proper rela. ...a between the public and this eomI ; i Uiau all other factors put togethi s a-iid it is yuur duty to do :. lin-pi!-s upon the public at cvtry opporH e.iy, the fact that U is the flnoerc (. r hh: of this company to maintain the b-. k possible relations with the public w ,!.. h it uerves. it i.i a ery difficult matter for n l-ibuo utility to givu 1"0 per cent serv ,,. In tact ev. n small companies w liu kcuat their custom- r.s only in the. h.,i,.lrtd3 liavo great difficulty "i" this !-fiet, whereas we wlio count our ciMomcrs in the thousands can nuti it,,ly expect to fall down quit-- often :t, (-nitis proptr k rv ice. This service. !i..ct(T, la in your hands as employes ? t'lis company and it can only (tive .,1 rvi-e to the extern that joti are. i .i,i'irntliis m your daily work. I v i yon to tae this matter very much t . iwait otid resolo that insofar as : : of yvu is oncerneil you are go,:.a s 've the very best possible sc-r-,.e i isofar as your indiidual part i3 '-n iti'd . e hear considerable these s days ;. .1.1111 prices going down, and it would been-, out of order for me to say anything about increased rates at this tiitv.. However, it should be borne in muni that our present stocks cf raw ma- !'. rial"" were purchased at the peak of prinrf during the past few months, end furthermore, the increased rates which wc received in this territory came several months after your company had tr-iff-.rcd very severe losses during the ! receding ; ears of abnormally high r-'ees. It is only fair, therefore, that lb company should be entitled, even i t-r r genuine decrease in the cost of -rsw materials, to a reasonable length of t me In which to place its property in the condition which it should be in. Here are some of the increases which utilities have 3iad to pay in our gas and ''ietric departments for raw materials end labor:

Per cent increase August 1. 1914 to ; January 1. 1920 Sieam coal.123.0; Gas oil iOO.OO roke 103.53 Oxide 110.5:) Kire brick 140.' Pipe 149. M Labor 79. 59

mand that the rates of privately owned utilities shall not be increased, and if Increases must be granted that they ho granted only after the most rigid investigation. It would i.-ppear that what is "sauce for the goose is not aauee for the gander." I know that my remarks will he used by some to show that the utilities are for the commission regulation idea, and therefore, that this roKUl.Uory principle must be against the interests

j of the general public. I am frank to 1

say that the best brains in the Held uf

utility management today along with the leaders, of thought in all fields of legitimate business i'.nd sound economies are strongly in favor of the regulatory principle as against the old system, but I absolutely refuse to concede that this no. ns that the regulatory principle is not the best from the standpoint of the general public. I fail to find any (fppobitton t) the regulation Idea which is based on economically sound reasons. The right to regulate must carry wiih i! the obligation to protect: and this obligation to protect is not subject to reservations or evasions-. The Public Service Commission of Indiana was created, and clothed with full regulatory powers, for the protection of the citizens of the st;ite. whether those citizens be producers or utility service or users of utility service. To sacrifice the interests and rights of either class to those of the ctln r is equally reprehensible and unjust. Whether the utility to be regulated is

Ter cent increase Jan. 1. 1020 to Sept. 1. 19:0 ST. 5 101.23 lo.fn) 27. TK 39.63 21.33

fuel and labor constitute more than tuo-thirds of the operating costs. I 'ould call yo-ur special attention to the mirl;d increases since last January per! notwithstanding the talk of lower prices, ve have not yet begun to benelit by them. J'urthermo-e you all know that th maintenance of our property has been il-ferred during the past few years, one-i-g to our desire to keep our costs oown to ths lowest possible point nnd rms stave off as long as possible the icesf!tj of Increasing our rates for g and electric service. It i3 going to take some time for the utilities in this ftate to place their properties in satisfactory operating coneition. This will require the borrowi ig of considerable money and to borrow money these days utilities must show- thai they lire receiving and can expect to receive for some time aderiife rates. The question is How can our utilith have adequate rates? The best answer I know to this question Is "A demand by the people that the utilities receive adequate rates." Creating this demand is something v. hi.-h the employes of this "ompany 1 e it distinctly witnin tnelr power o accomplish. Xo one comes so closely hi contact with the people of your sever?! communities on public utility matt -r ps do you and your associates. Any comment which yon or your cm1 in milce with regard to the loca.1 1 tli!is is always accepted lis one huni"ffil per i-enf or ntor", as it carries 4he v. "igbt of one fpeaking with authority. The apparent opposition on the part ef the citizens of this great conmienweslth to ning utilities fairly dealt ii h has seriously affected the ability of the utilities to borrow money with v hieh to extend their plants and distribution Fystems. Cnless confidence 'in he restored in utilities' investments tjj-ough an improved public sentiment !Mid Inereafed net earnings, investment u .utility securities will he at a mini'.tri for 1h next few ears, and ex-te.-isiens must ueorssarily he restricted -i-d the community will suffer along v.J'h the individuals d'rectly affected.

t is i ? o 1 not g

e wrage ul.lily coiopao inu.t

f .r equipment for every 20 ecu

gross revenue, that It receive a year.

That equipment I

t.i. e in the community. It is paid f or , a ppro a! of a central body feeling that

by the sale of securities to thrifty 111- j it is entirely a "Home-Rule" affair anil vestors. It could not possibly be paid J an unwarranted inU.rfcretie0 with their for out of earnings: tha "in bcre idil j j management of the property. The manseen by any 1 air-mimleil man. J ayumonts of privately owned utilities With money available only nt prices can appreciate this feeling. It is strange averaging 10 per cent and over how can j however, to tind that these same muniutilities expect to borrow any of tho. ciivtl Authorities are eairer in their de-

tnniioy if the poples' representatives insist that 6 and 7 per cent on a greatly depreciated valuation shall be considered a reasonable rate. I bespeak your thoughtful consideration in ' n interests of your local utilities wiicsc prosperity holds' hold such a close relation to that of your own business. For the past few years nt every session of the state legislature there has appeared a movement for the abolishment of the Vublie Service Commission. Why? Simply because this Public Service Commission has found itself, due to economic conditions, forced to grant some meager rate increases in order to keep tho utilities of this state from bankruptcy. I cannot but feel that this movement originates, not with the intelligent and reasoning citizens of our several communities, but ratlur with the uninformed masses fostered perhips by sonie prejudiced person or some selfish .politician more interested in his own s ltisli plans than in tho community which he represents. (hie would sometime think that it was criminal for a public utility to le prosperous. As a matter of fact, from the standpoint of everybody concerned, toe public .served as well as the owners of the property, thin is the most desirable condition. If it isn't prosperous, not alone will the holders of securities suffer but the employes must sutler, due to failure to secure the wages which they ought to :et, the community will suffer on account of poorer service anil failure to secure adequate extensions of service. What are the facts with regard to these increases in rales? Speaking f roTii my own experience. I can assure you that in no case have utilities received a rate within 23 per cent of whit ft should be, and even those increases have only b'en granted several months after Ihov- should have been. The people of the state of I11diaiii can rest assured that their Ihiblie Service Commission 'has consistently mdhcred to a policy of granting only such increases in rates as have been absolutely necessary to keep the several utilities from receiverships which would mean a demoralization, if not an absolute curtailment of service. I should Fay that rather than censure.

the people of the state owe to the Vxti,-

lie Service Commission a vote of thanks i and I am sure that if the general pub- j lie were fully aware of he facts its 1 attitude in this regard would be chang- j ed Vou can do much to make it known. T do not want to be understood as holding a brief for the Public Service j Commission. I feel that their policy ! of keeping the utilities just one jump ahead of the sTieriff has been a mistoke j

and a policy which will react unfavorably on the community served. This

policy has made it necessary for utilities to defer maintenance to an almost ! dangerous degree, and it will take sev- j eral years of normal costs to place !

plants lind distribution systems in proper condition to maintain adequate and satisfactory service. Just avoiding insolvency far from meets the situation. If public service companies are rut in a position where it is a constant fight between solvency and insolvency private capital will not go Into them. Xo city or town czn be more prosperous than Its utilities. This is a demonstrated and fidmitted fact. If its utility companies are "starved" and unable to furnish adequate light, heat, communication or transportation services the city immediately feels the effect. Paralyze any one of these services; cause it to entirely suspend consider what would be the effect not only upon all business, but upon the convenience happiness and contentment and everyday life of every citizen, man, woman or child. When a uillity company is abandon

ed, suspends or becomes bankrupted in

any community, the financial effect, is widespread and immediate. Bonds of tbat company are Immediately affected .for to the outside world It causes immediate doubt as to the fairness of

its citizens. N'ew capital, in any line of ndustry, hesitates to neck investment in that locality, going to communities more progressive and who have more carefully girded their reputation for fair dealing. It must be remembered that propertyvalues are largely dependent upon improvements. A community without efficient utility service Is bound to decay. Let vis analyze for a moment where the opposition to the Public Service Commission probably originates. We find considers hie opposition from that small element of our citizenship who are interested in municipal ownership. The insistence of the Public Service Commission that the accounts of municipally owned plants le Kent in proper form has t roused considerable opposition Inasmuch as it has brought to litfht the f -r.t thst these municipally o-.vnM plants are not as f -arable to the interests of trv" c; rCi r.K nines a some would have us believe. Tho politicians interested In fostering municipal ownership do not look with favo- on any official and informed body in a position to point out the defects in their propositions. Another phase of this opposition to

an indiviilu.il er a corporate creature of the stale, corporation and individual are equally entitled to protection, just as the smallest user of gas or electricity or other public service is entitled to protection. . An impartial investigation of the subject will prove that, tken as a whole the general public has been better served and the public interests have been more fully protected during the trying period we have Just" passed through than could possibly have been the eu.se under the old syst 111. T believe it is your duty to your company, to yourselves and to the best interests of our community to openly oppt'se any move which would tend to place utilities a;ain at the mercy of petty politicians t.nd other sinister Infill noes'.

Gases Sourness Indigestion Heartbura Flatulence Palpitation Just as goon as rou eat . tablet or two of Tape's Diapepsin nil the utoraRch distress caused by acidity will end. Pope's Ihnpepsin always puts Kick, upset, acid stomachs .n order at once. Large 60c case- ."ugutores.

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Overcoats

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Styles and Man and

Quality That Everv Young Man Will

Appreciate.

60-00

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50.00

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in New York City alone from ki?nev trouble last year. Don't allow yotrself to become a victim by neglecting pains and aches. Guard Against this trouble by taking COLD MEDAL Tha world's standard remedy for kidney, liver, bladder and nsic acid troubles. Hollard'r national remedy since 1696. All drugt,.sts, three sizes. Guaranteed. UxK far tlie name Gld Med.l an every be end accept no imitejiea

HEALTHY NEW YEAR Stamps may be secured at: EAST CHICAGO POSTOFFICE . C. MINAS CO. LION STORE J. A. AUBREY, 251 N. Hohman st. DWYER'5 ICE CREAM PARLOR, Conkey and Harrison.

Values up to $30, Spe'l 23c-

SILK SHIRTS REDUCED

$6.95 $5795 $3.95 $2.45

$10.00 values . $8.50 values . $5.00 values . $3.50 values .

Unusual Low Prices on

$4.95

P7.00 Wool Union Suits.

S3 Fleece Lined O Union Suits.... "

S3 Wilson Bros. Union Suits. . . $5.00 Wool union Suits. . . .

$1.95 $3.65

Mens Shoes Black and Tan, rubber heel attaches, all styles, $10 values at $6.95

We are exceptionally equipped with a full line of Xmas Gifts for Men AT EXTREMELY LOW PRICES

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16b-162 State Street. Hammond. Ind,

OUR

GRAND FREE OFFE

Owing to a special concession by the manufacturers of the Gil's Dresses, which we offer at this time we are enabled to give away absolu'ely free, a Kewpie doll, with every girl's dress sold at $1.98 and up. The most attractive offer of the season Read carefully the following: We advise early buying on these items. Hundreds of Girls Dresses and Middies on Sale Here Without doubt the most attractive sale of Girls' Dresses and Middies that has been offered in years. There is no use mincing wovds about this matter they must be sold and sold for cash Keep in mind the free offer above and come in prepared to supply yourneeds for future days and months Below follows a few detailed descriptions:

SERGE DRESSES GINGHAM DRESSES SERGE DRESSES SERGE MIDDIES For the larger girl Values in this lot to Come in navy, cotton A good Navy, Cotton made of navy Serge, $3.95. Ages 6 to 14 serge trimmed, with Serge, well made, neatly trimmed, sizes years. Wonderful braid. Ages 6 to 12 Ages 6 to 12 years. 1 2 to 20 values at years at Special at $3.98 $1.98 $2.49 $1.49 . , . , . . . i . FLANNEL ROMPER S BROCADED CORSET OUTING GOWN LADIES' APRON Of fine gray Outing, Of very high quality. For Ladies, of fine D , i r r n j j c n i l An j . bungalow style of fine riped in red. Sizes well known make. A fleecy and outing cut, - , 2 to 6 years, very spe- regular $3.50 value, all sizes, while they S s npe',f ng ara' i . , j J very serviceable, tor cial at at last, at 69c $1.69 $1.39 89c :

You Cannot Resist These Bargains

UNION SUITS Fcr Ladies, in low neck no 'sleeve, fine guage. All sizes. Special at $1.29

TURKISH TOWEL Fancy Turkish Towel, fine quality, sie 20x40 inches, for only

95c

CASHMERE HOSE V ery fine quality of a well known make. A regular 85c value, per pair

39c

COTTON CRASH About 1,000 yards of fine Cotton Crash with red border, fine twill weave, at per yard

10c

Men's Dress Shirts values to 85.95 fo: S3. 45 We are offering some wonderful values in Mn's Dress Shirts You can buy them cheap;.- :;: v than we can. Choice styles for your selection. Sizes 14 to 16J.

0ur Ifki1 'esmj&mm Alb WIT r W M MK'4 4- v wake the Basemen. 4 g i W Buying 15 f M P a easy Toys for SV -Ll-e- Wlf STXl isk-visil .Girls and Vk f j V oiir barBoys. 5i3JgB w X gii K nIT:sSiiW;r -ilU ga,n base" us no,, AMJj.

cee us -JKt) mm V ee Us of,.

ee us now

DECORATED CHINA DOLL CARRIAGE METAL CART EMBOSSED TEA SET Set of decorated China Imitation reed, 6 inch Two wheel Metal Cdrt Has six pieces, very for dall 17 pieces; wheel, rubber tires neatly painted, strong, neat, attractive design special, only hood, very special at well made. Special very special at 39c $4.45 39c 10c CHARACTER DOLL DOLL SPECIAL SPECIAL DOLL DOLL CART Has hair wig, a very Full 20 in. in length. Has imitation kid body Folding type, has five attractive Doll. Very real kid body, real hair full length, 13 inches. inch wheel, leatherette special at and lashes, full jointed Full jointed. Special canopy toy. Special 89c $7.95 $1.29 89c Shop Early and Late Here, It Will Pay You CLIMBING MONKEY. BALKING MULE DOUBLE TELEPHONE KITCHEN RANGE You cannot beat it, al- You never grow tired With bell, very attract- Has canopy top set ways pleases every- of this toy it is very ive toy and will also of cooking utensils body. Special at amusing. Onlv be very pleasing, at very special, only 34c 59c 59 c 29c A. B. C. BOARD CARD GAMES ALABAMA COON BUFALO BILL Interesting and very A very large assort- You'll laugh at this A new game and full instructive, something ment of the very lat- . performance. Buy it of real interest and exihat will please, at est and best, at now. for citement, only $1.19 10c 69c 25c Jewelry for Christmas Gifts On Main Floor WRIST WATCH BAR PINE BUY A WATCH ALARM CLOCKS For ladies, a $15.00 Sterling Silver Good time keeper and A regular $2.00 value value, only A $3.50 value, at attractive mo.de!, at Very Special at $9.95 $1.95 $1.79 $1.39

iiniimiiiiei pr i ii m iWpmi.1i minimi n mn p

160-162 State Street

Hammond, Ind,