Many called it socialism. Others weren't so polite. The only route left was the courts and condemnation. By 1930, still very little of Benton County was served with electricity. I lived through that, but I didn't know it was a hardship.
Public power is necessary, because the other option is worse.
Through the commission, the public has a say about what goes on, as opposed to private power - all you have is a stockholders' meeting once a year. All three men have long records of public service. Graves, for example, was in the Jaycees, served on the Kennewick School Board and worked with the Chamber of Commerce while he was a partner in an automobile dealership. He's been in banking, insurance and real estate. I've always had an attitude that you make your living off the community and you should give something back.