Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1912-08-29
WANTS HIGHER VALUES ON pow
ER PLANTS.


| Equalization rs member of COM
mlttee to investigate the assessments
on the various power plants through
out the state, reports that in his
Judgement the assessments on cleo
trio power plants and power lines
are far too low and cites several in
stances for his belief.
The Idaho Consolidated Power
company has a plant at American
Falls assessed for $50, 600 including
} miles Of power line. This COM
pany owns power lines in other
counties, the assessed valuation of
which is not at hand, but does not
amour to any great sum. am
reliably informed that 1000, 900
has been refused for this plant.
THE Great Shoslone Falls Power
and Light company has two plants;
one at Shoshone Falls and the other
at the Lower Salmon Falls. The
combined production Of electrical
energy at these two plants is 6OOO
horse power. The combined assess
ment on these two plants is only
1899, 800. | doubt if these plants
could be purchased for 81 900, 900.
"The Telluride company has Il
plant located in Bannock county.
The assessment on this property is
only sG113, H. lam informed that
the cost of this plant was ST.
800, 900, to say nothing of their
valuable franchises. "
Mr.. Taylor goes into this question
at some length and brings out some
suggestions that should meet the
hearty approval Of the tax payer
of the state. Speaking along gener-
al lines, he says:
Electrical power is one of til,
great natural resources " Idaho. L
> natural resource that belong
primarily to the state. The powe
to generate electricity is furnished
: by streams, the waters of which ar
unquestionahly the states property
1t is evident that Idaho made
q great mistake in parting with thi
natural resource without adequat
d returns.
@ Water power in Idaho has bee
+ alienated to corporations and pr
y vate individuals for the mere asking
If the state had required the pay
ment of royalty for the Use of tn
% resource the state treasury would !
l. enriched several millions of dollar
n and the burden of taxation woul
,c have been relieved proportionatelN
II This subject is brought forcibl
y to public attention at this time whe
y the board of equalization is equal
81 zing the value of property.
il have been making all eXaminatio
of the records, and am amazed
le the small valuations placed upo
40 power plants in Idaho. | fiji
'e that the state has not only aliel
,. ated these valuable privileges hi
it is not securing any whe
"a near al adequate revenue for Il
" value of the property.
e. For the past two years there h
ct been process of consolidation
IT. the water power companies goil
y on in the state. A number of co
No solicitations have already been a
n nounced, and deals are on for OF
ers. 1t is predicted that it is on
. a question of time until all the po'
as er companies of southern Idaho W
as he under one head. This won
'e. mean the greatest monopoly in I
r, entire state. These power compa
&C. les will control the electrical ener
ed required to irrigate large areas
'rs land; light our cities and home
he furnish heat and control electric
i'll transportation. If there is any
ng dustry in the state that requii
lar control and regulation, it is
m water power business.
N Il deprecate the tendency to
yer tack large business interests. Ida
Z sts.,.. ,.Art tssa