Inflation and rate hikes aren’t new — Southeast Missourians have been bracing their pocketbooks for decades. In 1949, a regional telephone service announced it must increase rates or face bankruptcy. In 1974, residents spoke out against apparent price discrimination by a natural gas supplier, as the company insisted the energy crisis necessitated passing more costs to consumers.
100 years ago
July 18, 1924
• The Poplar Bluff Interstate American updated readers on the progress of state highways within Butler County.
Ninety-eight miles of hard-surfaced roads are planned, with an average cost of $17,561 per mile. This money is provided by a 1923 state fund for the maintenance and improvements of state roads. In total, Butler County’s highways will cost over $1,075,000. More than half of the money has already been paid to contractors as work continues.
A tax on the county’s 1,762 registered vehicles added almost $15,000 to the road fund in 1923.
75 years ago
July 18, 1949
• After decades of low telephone rates, the Southeast Missouri Telephone Company told customers it must raise costs or face bankruptcy.
“Communities served by this company have long enjoyed rates lower than those in cities of similar size, and rates have not been revised for 20 to 30 years. We have held off asking for higher rates as long as we can but there is no other choice,” said Charles W. Boutin, SMTC president.
He stated the company is already out $35,000 this year, and this deficit will grow to $150,000 if no change is made. Even installing a new telephone currently costs more money than it brings in.
Poplar Bluff residents pay between $0.50-1.75 for various services, from business extensions to residential lines. The proposed increase slides this range upward to $0.75-$6. The planned increases are generally lower than this in smaller communities like Malden, and higher in cities like Cape Girardeau.
• Officers have a lead in yesterday’s Ozark Provision Company robbery, where an experienced thief or thieves broke into the business and stole a small safe, several guns and a delivery truck.
J.G. Barker, operator of a Dudley service station, told authorities he was woken up at 2 a.m. by a young man who purchased about $3 in gas and left him a generous tip. The truck he fueled was the stolen one.
Later that night, someone stole a portable welding apparatus from a Perryville junction. Officers believe the same burglars are responsible and they are trying to open Ozark Provision Company’s safe. The safe holds about $200 in cash and $500 in checks.
50 years ago
July 18, 1974
• Residents, business owners and civic officials testified against natural gas rate hikes during a hearing today. Public Service Commissioner Willard Reine called it “an outstanding hearing.”
Attorneys for the City of Poplar Bluff, Laclede Gas Co. and the Office of Consumer Affairs questioned citizens about proposed price increases. All were opposed. Many cited apparent pricing discrimination — Poplar Bluff rates are already 30% higher than those of the Inman Acres suburb, which is supplied by a different company. One businessman found Jefferson City also had lower rates
“I felt this was inequitable,” said former mayor Bernard Wheetley, who vetoed a similar proposal during his term. “I don’t think an increase in Poplar Bluff should be allowed until the rest of the rates are equalized.”
Ward Moore, a retired city resident, added a rate increase would strain the budgets of fixed income households. While his peers were “willing to pay our fair share,” he pointed to cheaper prices in other Laclede service areas as evidence of price discrimination.
Laclede Gas Co. had proposed the raise to offset the effects of the energy crisis, which prompted many to reduce their natural gas consumption. Representatives said price variation across regions and suppliers was normal.