Evening Star Newspaper, February 28, 1930, Page 6

A—6 = TfiE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 190, TRUST" OVER RADIDE2 Alabama Senator Assails| “Monopolistic Control” i Forum ‘Address. fllll that ou l«‘" oters of hydro-electric power ts. Farmers' homes are thed down by mortgages. Manufac- turing enterprises are restricting pro- duction, Labor mlnlauom nary unemployment. M -uu upon the verge of bankruptcy. 'l‘he question natural arises as to whether or not it is in accordance with natural economic laws that such enor- mous profit should be reaped from power company investments in contrast to general business conditions. ‘The power industry deals with a modern necessity. A machine age de- mands and must have electrical ener- gles. Hydro-electrical power has dis- placed the old water mills. It is sup- phnnn‘ the steam engines. It is il- luminating our homes and cities. Ac- cording to the United States rt- ment of Commerce, 70 per cent of the homes of the Nation are now supplied with this great modern convenience and necessity. Day by day, week by week and month by month, electrical pcver extends its domain, i ihg home, nd the. mz":é Only 17. per ocent of oent o v.he tial oenlaymun e Lhe to- gower from our streams lul yet been developed. ' Eighty-three per_cent is rolling on to waste. ‘The great pul lc demand for this endless energy gives to it an unusual importance. generated and distributed, in the main, in the United States by private mono- polistic . control. Governments, muni- cipal and State, have l(bempted to regulate the price at which it shall be Has it proven satis- factory? Is it successful? If not, what mnls ll governmental policy should 'ma- qw-umu state the water- power blem of today. Thlt. the past les have proven satisfactory the | to the le few will eontend 'l‘hnt regulation not-been completely suc- cml’ul none will deny. The present exorbitant prices of electric current :nd the fabulous profits lcerulnl to - | the business make changes of some k!nd absolutely imperative. Sees Undue Burden. nfair and unjust profits in any line ‘Llflnreu m';'t'mu an undue burden An attack on “monopolistic control” by private concerns of hydro-electric poset gétipiation and transmission, to- gether with the most gigantic, “well organized and well financed effort of the power companies to control public known in our " was leveled at the “power trust” by ‘Senator Hugo L. Black of Alabama lllt night xn an address for the Nnunrnd lhdln brroads through cast WMAL ud a country-wide netwurt of radio stati { Ruemn. to Muscle Shoals and Boulder Dam as “the storm centers around which this great controversy has raged for years,” Senator Black | spoke over the national hook-up of the National Radio Forum, arranged by ‘The Star and sponsored by the Columbia Brudulthu System. The - testimony before the reder:l bearing upon valuations md profits of different power Senator Black “has velopments.” He sald power hereto- fore has been handled chiefly by “pri- vate monopolistic control,” with govern- ments attempting to regulate the price at which it should be sold, and asked if this were the proper policy and had proven satisfactory. cnn.u Called Neocessary. 1uunom state the water- of today,” the Alabama senntor declared. “That the past pol- icies have proven satisfactory to the labor and an undulnbh ecmntn- tion of SOL HERZOG, Inc. Originators of the BUDGET BUYING PLAN IN WASHINGTON Odds &Ends of Very Fine O’coats Beautiful all- wool garments— every one of them! Rich Tweeds and and Homespuns in a large variety of patterns and shades. A “buy of a liftime” at this price. $21.50 Sizes |34 3536|3738 4042 |44 |Quantity \(l) (4)\(7){(3)I(2)J(5)i(2) Qa l Blue Serge and Pin-Stripe . All-Wool MEN’S SUITS guaranteed) Alterations at Cost Sor HERz0G .. bhard finish < wor- steds. All fresh F Street a1 Qth new styles. You'll fully appreciate the savings when you see them. : |above the average man the sociat! Heretofore, it has been | g5 t.hcn!mmnudlnunehmtndufl the farm. i monapoly, ' consolidation, holding’, com plnla and chun':udm plunderu::: the many seems become privilege of the few. Among the colossal trusts that tower wer as- lon occuples an exal position. )y assert that intoxicated with its own mm—. its overweening _spirit | (T overreached itself. wer rates are too high in this wuntry A recent study by the Department of Commerce shows that in October, 1929, the average house- holder in the United States used 492 kilowatt hours annually, at an average cost of $30.70. This gave to the elec- tric power companies a revenue of 6.24 cents per kilowatt hour. At the same time, it is interesting to note that the average householder in Ontario uses 1,380 kilowatt hours annually, at a cost of 1.71 oenu"gel kilowatt hour, as con- trasted with 6.24 cents paid by citi- 2ens of the United States. This'is a striking differenice. When ft is lllo considered that the number of electric | power customers in America was 24,257,~ 160 at the end of 1929, it is easily u: derstood that electric power rates con- | stitute one of the great economic prob- lems of the time. Some Relief Sought. Relief has been sought in some sec- tion of this country from the opera- tion of municipal plants. The City of Jacksonville, Fla., has been selling do- mestic energy for several years at an average of 4 cents per kilowatt hour. In the last 15 years this city, besides pay- ing its sinking fund and charges, operating expenses and setting- up depreciation, has turned over about ,000,000 to the city treasury as a gift, and put another $5,000,000 in improve- ments and extension out of its earnings. The City of Cleveland, Ohio, has a municipal plant, built in 1914. The Cleveland Illuminating Co. was then charging 10 cents per kilowatt hour domestic. The competition of the city plant forced the private company to re- duce its rate to 5 cents, and similar reductions in other schecules. The startling result is that with these re- ductions, municipal and private, the people have saved, according to expert figures, npnroximnhly $27,000,000 in their electric bill because of the city plant. Take another illustration. A small manufacturer who lives in the City of Springfield, Ill, can buy 4000 k.w.-h. for $68.00 from the city plant. If he patronized the private plant in the same town, he would pay the same, $68.00, but if he moved -his plant to some other comparable Illinois SUPER VALUE A flaming white diamgnd, set in graceful 18+kt. hand- pierced white gold mount- ing. 337.50 75c a Week BULOVA For Ladies With flexible bracclet to match. ‘15-jewel guaranteed movement. 337.50 75c a Week COMBINATION Brilliant white diamond engagement ring, and wed- ding band to match, in beau- tiful 18-kt. solid white gold. Both for— $4 .75 $1.00 a Week Last Chance on These Waffle Irons ! They have been selling fast, and there are only a few left. heating element. Pay 45¢ Down BANJO Eight-day Banjo Clock, thoroughly aranteed. hoice of col- ors. interest | SENATOR HUGO L. BLACK. —Star Staff Photo. city served only by private companies, he would have to pay the following: In Bloomington, $140.00; Elgin, $127.00; Urbana, $140.00. Facts concerning these high rates have been concealed from the public and unfair profits from the people con- tinued. A tragic tale of Nation-wide deception has been revealed in the in- vestigations by the Federal Trade Commission. ‘The evidence shows the most lil'lntlc well organized and well financed effort of the power companies to control pub- lic opinion known in our history. They tried to dominate the press. They had 28 publicity bureaus in 1928 covering every State in the Union. Each week they sent out clip sheets to all news- papers with a utility story told as they wanted it to be told. Millions of ar- 7-inch Griddle. $4.9 Guaranteed NONE SOLD FOR CASH. Pay 25¢ a Week tlcles have been published in such a way that the people were not informed as to their true Source. In 1928 power company publicity agents admitted that the electric, gas and street railway in- terests were spending about $28,000,000 annually in advertis] -In that year the electric industry alone is shown to have spent conservatively one-and-a- half miklion dofiars n pUbLICIy WOLE. Cites Many Examples. Evidence before the Federal Trade Commission shows that they tried to capture our educational system all the way from the universities down to the grade schools. Thousands of copies of pamphlets containing power proj da were circulated nmonx school cl of the grammar gr: A large number nl unlverslt.y profes- ren sors, who were writing articles and giv- ing testifiony in rate cases favorable to mmmmumm supposed were independent scholars, were discovered to be receiving money from the power companies in a secret way. The companies financed propa- so0 much money —money taken out of Peosl.l pockets for electric light charged up to the operating expeluu of the company? Is it be- cn\uo this I.nflunry Wi has received from the people, free of cost, wonder- fully valusble franchise rights, desires to continue to \anun;l_geuflcn a few from the pockets of many? This places an unfair burden upon other in- dustries; lthmrmwmmuu bel It is safe to sa; peogt not permit a eon’ttm-um of un- just policy. The American public will not long permit such a wrong to public interests. uJeop!e of this great Na- tion are entif to cheap power. They will ultimately obtain it. Muscle Shoals ulder have been the storm w’ this great con- or years. Congress Dam act, with the preserved priority ins be seen this Jaw will be hh-ly administered. Owned by People. ‘The people of this Nation own the jpowet and nitrate plants at Muscle hoals, Ala. This great project was February 28 DINNER RlNG > Three brilliant white dliw' monds, set in attractive 18- kt. gold mounting, Four or | five styles to select from, as well. not “carry over $29.75 50c a Week For Men With flexi. ble bracelet to match, Thoroughly lguar an teed QM movement. COMBINATION 17-jewel Illinois Sterling || Watch, with knife, charm | and chain to match. Four pieces, complete, i $3 7.50 75¢c a Week 8-DAY MANTEL Clock in mahogany-finish, with candles to- match, lay movement. 38.75 that are perfect for 25c a Week ber of fine boucles. zmmammrfi' ouf . mdm They - hmmmunt 000,000. s obvious that such ‘would add an additionsa itic They have an inherited monoply or government. in business ttee Cmtnnntlon of power in government egislat! or desirable for | € The farmers of the South desire to utilize this power in the manufacture of fertilizer, It is believed that the farmers of Amznu.o‘in ;:Ite wpl the ex- opposition ‘ashington ndlhtivg re| tative of the Farm Bureau, would favor giving the muniei- lities a preference in the purchase of remaining after the tion vm be con- Senate the that with lenu‘ people, and e rrylnf.ous the original plan, or the benefit of Amer!un mfifif&e and for the mem of the American people. Problem Called Great. These and other facts that might be or business is contrary to the liberal thought of a democratic people. Only as a, last resort will they depart from the cherished ideal of fostering individ- ual initiative and enterprise. Even the most conservative, however, abhor price fixing by m« les. While recent conditions might lead a super- ficial observer to a different conclusion, trusts cahnot long survive against American’ public sentiment, when once 1t becomes aroused by oppression or in- {\llniee ‘The bold wh'lt of the ploneer not yet extinet. mm‘"?' is neeem“:ya on t;l:e part lol e péople, pr people, t?eeyd w’fll do. The '{‘ma has about "‘- rived for a new and vigorous assault be - su ly made against in- I.rencmd rM and mon Mon ich control ‘Deces- sities of u(t .re a distinct menace. Only recently I pointed out' & nn« ed wmmnmedhohmpk It is mpanles, Bt of a1l Einds. ’&m com| , al 7~ mnn":n"-mm law should be back into life. The people of um Ne- tion are entitled to a determination of mentioned show that the power problem | th is today one of the greatest magnitude. Testimony this week before the inter- state commerce committee of the Sen- ate by Mr. King and Mr. Russell of BOZIUIENS Amazing Bargains That Include 'l'he has not been solved by Tegu- Lreb!em It is ‘still a_pressing’ problem, Suits for Spring This sale offers you lines of our own “St. Albans Clotl/lesl that are complete in all regular sizes, and the special sxzes i At the sale price these values are marvelous. We. have a huge stock and our policy is to absolutely clear; and We can make any necessary alterations, but must charge you their actual cost to us. 1,500 of our "45 Two-Pants Suits s Spring wear. About 100 You find the most desirable of all materials—serges and cheviots, unfinished and hard-finished worsteds and rough tweeds—blues, dark oxfords and handsome mixtures. There are also hundreds in light colors and the lighter weights Buy the Spring suit NOW! Think of this! Practically every suit has two pairs of trousers. If we were to order an extra pair of these qualmes the cost would be $8 to $10. That indicates the value you're buying. of Our $45 and $50 Overcoats "These are the popular blues and smart oxfords: double breasted models; some fully silk lmed ‘Among them a num- both single and Sizes Include Only 33—34—35—40—42—44—46 R, SR /SN