Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 46, Number 32, 16 December 1920 — Page 16
PAGE SIXTEEN
THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM. RICHMOND, IND., THURSDAY, DEC. 16, 1920.
OPERATING COSTS PUBLIC UTILITIES TO REACH NORMAL LEVELS, SAYS COMMISSION'S REPORT
; INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Dec. 16. Op-, crating costs of public utilities havej reached the peak and In some cases the highest level has been passed, according to the annual report of the public service commission, which has just been completed. A year ago costs were constantly Increasing, the report points out. but at the present time conditions hare changed. "During the past year," the report says, "there has been no decline in operating costs to utilities. Until quite recently operating costs continued to increase. At this time the commission is inclined to believe that the peak has been reached and passed, and that the price of materials and fuel will reach more normal levels." One of the chief factors entering Into the increased operating costs of utilities, according to petitions which have been filed with the commission in rate cases, has been the excessive cost of coal. This item, according to the statements of the utilities, has soared so as to present a serious problem under normal times. The commis
sion, according to the report, is of the ; opinion that coal costs will come down during the next year. "It is likely," says the report, "that coal costs will be less burdensome during the coming year." Decline Noted. A marked decline in the prices of many of the materials used by various utilities is noted by the commission. "Copper, which is used in large quantities in electric bus bars," says the report, "and electric transmission and distributing systems is suffering a marked drop, and apparently will soon reach a point as low as before the world war. Cast iron pipe is extremely high, and continues high, with no immediate indication of a fall In price. However, we are anticipating a sharp decline in its price, although there are no signs at this time which would indicate that. "Cedar poles have continued to go upward in price, due to depletion of the supply and the continued market demand, but apparently even the price of poles has reached the top, for there is rumor among the trade of an impending drop in the price. Prices of cross-arms are expected to take a 20 per cent drop soon. Efficiency Increases. "Wages have not fallen, but we have noted a tremendous increase in the efficiency of labor due to the fact that there are more men than jobs and also to the fact that now managements can choose their own men instead of being forced to take what they can get. "As replacement and depreciation require labor and material at presentday prices, we believe that the time is coming when we will be able to observe a decrease in the costs of operation in so far as the depreciation item and the general labor item may contribute to the operating costs. "It is fair to say that while we see -no Immediate possibility of decrease in operating costs, we can take some satisfaction in indications that the top has been reached, in some cases even passed. This observation is made with pleasure both for the owners of public utility plants and for consumers of public utility plants and for consumers of public utility service, especially since we have passed through four years of frened increases in
prices of everything entering into the costs of public utility operation." Rates Are Difficult. Great difficulty has been experienced by the commission, according to the report, in establishing utility rates which would meet the high cost3 of operation and at the same time not be prohibitive for consumers. "The commission was constantly
confronted," says the report, "with the
difficulty of establishing rates which
would be sufficient to prevent the absolute breakdown or abandonment of
service, and at the same time would
not be so disproportionate to the value of the service to the consumer as to
cause a loss of patronage. In the case of central heating station utilities, whose operating costs mounted rapidly with, and in proportion to, the increased coal costs, the commission had to deal with the perplexing problem of making possible heating service for the winter, and in order to do so, was forced to authorize rates which would eventually prove uneconomical from the consumers' standpoint."
Artificial flower making Is an art in which the Japanese excel.
Pittsburgh Schools Bay Cod for $5 JO Per Ton (By Asoctted Press) PITTSBURGH, Dec. 16. Pittsburgh jubllc school buildings which a few weeks ago were closed . because of their inability to obtain a bituminous coal supply at J6 a ton, were today storing quantities of coal at the nominal rate of $5.50 a ton. . The bottom fell out of the market when a wholesaler notified Carl M. McKee, superintendent of supplies that he had 1,600 tons in cars on a convenient siding, but he had to get rid of it because the raidroad company was demanding demurrage. The bargain was soon made and the coal was not only delivered at the .needy school buildings, but was carefully packed away in the cellars by the
unhappy wholesaler at the rate fixed
by the superintendent. COUNTY ASSESSORS CONVENE By Associated Press) , INDIANAPOLIS. Dec. 16. County assessors from all parts of Indiana met for their conference on the administration of the tax law with the consideration of difficult problems that will soon confront them. Besides considering their technical questions, the assessors heard several addresses on varioua phases of the tax law. Sesions were held both morning and afternoon.
OFFICERS ELECTED BY 6 EATON LODGES ; EATON, O., Dec. 16. Organizations of a fraternal character and otherwise in Eaton .have elected officers for the coming year. - Eaton lodge, No. 30, Odd Fellows, has elected C. R. Wehrley noble grand; Orville Stanton, vice grand; H. E. Dalrymple, recording secretary; J. W. Cook, financial secretary; William Gard, treasurer; Ira Brower, trustee. Preble Encamnment. No. 54, Odd
O. H.
R. SplUer, keeper of records and seal; C. O. 'Fisher, master of finance; Roy McNeal, matter of exchequer; Ray Benjamin, inner guard; Walter Cohee, outer guard; F. E. Overholser, trustee. The Woman's Relief Corps has elected Julia Murray, president; Alice Kline, senior vice president; Lovina Burch, junior vice president; Florence Jones, secretary; Roberta Stroh, treasurer; Mary Piummer, chaplain; Pearl Monesmith, conductor; Mary Fukls, guard; Minerva Kirkpatrick, patriotic instructor; Madge Kline, musician. Eaton grange, No. 2230, has elected
John Benham.- master: Henrv Kellv.
renows, na tiecieu u. n. . cverseer: F orenee Wnrlov leotiiror-
chief patriarch; J. W. Cook, high Charleg pilimni1 uta J. n '
assistant steward: Howard
rriest; C. R. Wehrley. Benior warden; John Davis, junior warden; H. E. Dalrymple, scribe; Orville Stanton, treasurer; Henry Kelly, trustee. Rachel lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, has elected Wynona Barnes, noble Rrand: Mae Shaffer, vice grand; Mary
Lane, recording secretary;
Reed, financial secretary ;
Young, treasurer; Ada Hippie, depart
ment superintendent; Nellie Glick, musician: Ada Hippie, captain of degree staff. i Waverly lodge. No. 143. Knights of. Pythias, has elected Walter Cohee, j
past chancellor; Benjamin fence, chancellor commander; Harry Shaffer, vice chancellor; Roy Kelly, prelate;. H.
jttart, chaplain;-H. C. Mitchell, treasiurer; H. E. Dalrymple. secretary; Wilbur Chrisma'n, gatekeeper; Eva Thomas, Cerese; Elizabeth Newkirk, Pomona; Fred Bailey, Flora; Grace
Jennie ; Hildebclt, .pianist.
FIRE DESTROYS BARN OF LOUIS PAOLINI
Fire virtually destroyed the .barn of Louis Paolini, baker, 612 North Twelfth street, early Wednesday evenine. A horse was burned to death.
and a wagon and automobile badly; damaged. The origin of the fire is un- i known. I The flames had gained considerable, headway before they were noticed.: Firemen were able to keep the blaze from spreading to the bakery which is close by. The damage was estimated ! at about 11,000 which il covered byj insurance.
final bill presented to the board of works Thursday. The work baa beea Inspected and passed by the city engineer and the board ordered the payment of the bill to the Slattery and Larson company. The balance of the $7,000 bill of the Burdsell and Willett company for $200 for work at the city light plant was allowed. The. engineer reported the work satisfactory-.
Doran Bridge Flooring Cost Richmond $19,475 Cost of the flooring for the Doran bridge was $19,475. according to the
t
YOU'LL DO BETTER HERE
0
1:
THIRTY EET FROM 7th ST.
There will be much discretion shown in spending money for Christmas gifts this year. Little money will be wasted on trivial knick-knacks. Furniture, the mo3t sensible, most appropriate gift, is right now in greater demand than ever before. Our stocks embrace furniture gifts, pretentious or simple as you desire, from gate leg tables, lounges, desks, davenports, to complete suites at low prices that are really remarkable. May we show you this charming assemblage of gift suggestions?
Child's Coaster Wagons $2.98
Shoo-Fly Rocking Horses $3,39
Tad-O-Bike for the Little Tot $2.98
$164.50
Queen Anne 4-Piece Boudoir Suite in Walnut, Reduced to
This handsome bedroom suite consists of large bed, dresser, chifforette and dressing table. Each piece is sturdily constructed and comes in the popular Queen Anne design. The dresser and chifforette have unusually large drawer space and the dressing table has mirrors in triplicate.
Flexible Flyer Sleds
Child's Solid Oak Rockers $3.49
Child's Desk and Blackboard $2.69
Kiddie Racing Cars $1.98
GIVE A BUICK to your family this Xmas
Chenoweth Auto Co.
1107 Main St.
Phone 1925
wfcv Af and
war
Overcoats
No. 3 'North 10th St
Tailored for You Place Your Order NOW
$3.98
Doll -SrM )oii Beds gl JTS! -arts
$1.49
$3.98
Beginning next Monday we will be Open Every Evening Until Christmas.
Our Christmas Candy Dept. Will Save You Money on HighGrade Candies.
.J
Just Before the Holidays-
A Sale of Gloves Beginning FRIDAY MORNING at 8:30 An Event That Could Not Come at a More Opportune Time Silk and Kid Gloves priced at special reductions of 20 percent and more
GLOVES The safe and sure selection; the useful, the thoughtful gift, and yet, what could be more refined and elegant for the price paid than a nice pair of Gloves? Every kind is here, for every service. This sale includes such well-known Gloves as "Centemeri" and "Van Raalte" products high-grade glove manufacturers.
Centemeri Fielder Gloves $50
This Glove sells regularly for $7.00. It is the new style long French Kid Glove with the perf e c 1 1 y adjusted strap wrist. It can be worn either with
long or semi-short sleeves, and is one of the smartest styles of the season. On sale Friday at .$5.50
An Important Sale of Silk Gloves (Not a Glove reserved from this special price - reduction event). 20 Discount on All Silk Gloves
Including All Short and Long Gloves and Double Silk Gloves
$1.00 Gloves $ .80 $1.25 Gloves $1.00 $1.50 Gloves $1.20 $1.75 Gloves $1.40 $2.00 Gloves $1.60 $2.25 Gloves $1.80
$2.50 Gloves $2.00 $2.75 Gloves .... .$2.20 $3.00 Gloves . . .$2.40 $3.50 Gloves $2.80 $3.75 Gloves $3.00
Ladies 2-Button White Kid Gloves, trimmed with hlack C0 FJfr stitching, French Kid. Special I tj
Ladies
Gloves,
Black, Brown, Tan or White flr fA 9T $l prft , all French Kid. Special J)tl.VlU VX tpfjb.UU
NOW GOING ON 25 to 50 Reduction on GOSSARD Corsets These famous Corsets have been repriced for this special event, which represents the greatest savings we have ever been privileged to pass along to our customers.
Special Values at. . . .$2.65, $2.95, $3.25, $5.50 '
HIT
Dec 13 to Dec. 18 "MARGIE"
(Thursday)-
Tade Dolan's entertainers at the Murrette are making an enormous hit with Margie". Hear them sing it and play it ind remember, we bave it in sheet music and player rolls.
Christmas Sale of
NEN
By far the largest stock of Linens in Richmond to be sold at a big sacrifice. In offering this sale to our patrons we do so with absolutele certainty that at no other time have they been able to secure values that were so exceptional. These Linens are all our regular stocks bought to be sold in a regular way, from manufacturers who have always developed the best. With full knowledge of the possibilities offered we urge you to visit our Linen Department at once. Very finest all linen sets, beautiful cloth, with one dozen Napkins
$25.00 All Linen Set IVi Yd. Cloth $27.00 All Linen Set 2Vi Yd. Cloth $30.00 All Linen Set 3 Yd. Cloth $32.00 All Linen Set 2Vi Yd. Cloth $35.00 All Linen Set 2 Yd. Cloth $36.00 All Linen Set 2 Yd. Cloth $40.00 All Linen Set 2Vi Yd. Cloth $45.00 All Linen Set 2 Yd. Cloth $50.00 All Linen Set 3 Yd. Cloth $65.00 All Linen Set 2 Yd. Cloth $98.00 All Linen Set 2. Yd. Cloth $108.00 All Linen Set 2 Yd. Cloth
1 Dz. 1 Dz. 1 Dz. 1 Dz. 1 Dz. 1 Dz. 1 Dz. 1 Dz. 1 Dz.
and 1 Dz. and 1 Dz. and 1 Dz.
and and and and and and and and and
Napkins, Napkins, Napkins, Napkins, Napkins, Napkins, Napkins, Napkins, Napkins, Napkins, Napkins, Napkins,
$18.75 Set $20.25 Set $22.50 Set $24.00 Set $26.25 Set $27.00 Set $30.00 Set $33.75 Set $37.50 Set $48.75 Set $73.50 Set $81.00 Set
Every bolt of Table Linen, qualities from $2.00 to $6.00 per yard, all to go at a discount of 25 Every dozen Napkins in our stock all to go at a liberal discount. ' ; Splendid Huck Towels, worth $1.50 pair to go at $1.35 Pair Good Huck Towels, 20x40, $2.00 quality, at $1.68 Pair Pure Linen Huck Towels, 19x36, regular $4.00 value, at . . $3.50 Pair
Library Scarfs $3.00 to $10.00 Dresser Scarfs 75c to $9.00 Madeira Napkins, doz. .$15.00 to $25.00 Many small all-linen Novelties suitable for Christmas gifts. Beautiful Bath Mats, ea. .$3.00 to $6.00
'Many fine Turkish Towels and Towel Sets. Large variety of Sanito Sets and Table Cloths. Handsome all-line Centerpieces with real Cluny lace edge.
If it's Linen you are looking for, come where you have not only a large variety to choose from, but where you can purchase the same at practically a pre-war price.
LT7 LEE B. NUSBAUM COMPANY NUSBAUM BUILDING