The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1914-12-31
BIG POWER COMPANIES LINING UP FOR
BITTER FIGHT FOR BUSINESS Of MINES
WASHINGTON COMPANY STARTS ACTION TO srop
ENTRANCE OF MONTANA POWER COMPANY INTO
coEuR DIAL ENE FIELD


tle that is soon to be fought between
the two great hydro election power
companies. one having its base in the
state of Washington and the other in
Montana, confident that whatever the
outcome the mining industry can not
be affected otherwise than beneficial
ly. This view Is upon the assump-
ton that the utilities commission will
regard this competitive field and will
permit both companies to operate here
upon compliance with the state law
governing public service corporations.
Tne filing Of complaint the first
of the week by the Washington Water
Power company against the Montana
Power company, the Thompson Falls
Power company, the Federal Mining
& Smelling company and the Tamar-
ack & Custer Consolidated Mining
company, charging conspiracy, is the
first public notice the big Washington
company has taken Of it's big rival
which mas presumed to invade its
hitherto exclusive field. The Wash
ington company asks a restraining or
der forbidding the defendant compan-
les to erect transmission lines and
selling power, claiming that the two
power companies have not filed arti-
cles Of Incorporation in Idaho nor ap-
pointed resident agents.
Details of the Complaint.
Several highly interesting points
are invoved in the controversy. One
of these is TO determine whether the
two foreign power companies can build
lines to the Idaho Montana state line
and there connect with transmission
lines built to that point by the mining
companies, ana whether these mining
companies can sell to others the pow
er 50 transmitted. The Washington
Water Power company sets forth that
it has been supplying the Occur
dAlene mining district with electrical
energy TOR years and has had no com
petition. Now, however, the Mon
tana Power company seeks to invade
the same territory and the Washing
ton company objects. The large min
ing companies charge that the rates of
the Washington company are too high
and the Washington company says
that they have entered into consplr-
acy with the Montana company to
bring in other power without comply
ing with the requirements of the
state law. In its direct charge Of con-
spraey the Washington company says
that none Of the defendant companies
has made appncation to the public
utilities commission for certificate Of
convenience and necessity as provid-
ed by the statute; that neither of the
Montana power companies has filed
articles of Incorporation with the sec
retary of state or with the auditor Of
ShoshOne county; but, that all of the
defendant companies have entered in
to conspiracy to evade the law.
The Washington corporation further
alleges that with this end in view a
contract has been entered into be-
tween the defendant companies by the
terms of which a transmission line Is
to be constructed from the mines of
the Federal and Tamarack companies
to the eastern state line there to be
met and Joined by transmission line
constructed to that point by the Mon
tana power companies and thus to
transmit power from the plants at
Thompson Falls in Montana to the
mines in Idaho and that power and
light is to be sold to other consumers
besides those named in the complaint.
While the cost of the transmission line
from the mines to the Idaho Montana
state line Is being paid for by the min
ing companies, ii Is charged that the
work Is being do by rs men furnish
ed by the Montana Power company.
Transmission lines connecting with
the Montana Power company at the
state line have now been extended to
the Morning (Federal mill at Mullan
another line extends from the summit
down Canyon creek and is being rap
IDLY extended across the hill to the
Tamaraek- Custer. While there may
De question as to the right Of these
mining companies TO distribute and
sell electric power, It is not likely that
any law can prevent them from con-
structing and maintaining line for
their own use, even though foreign
corporation supplies the juice. But
OF course, the ultimate purpose in
view Is TO keep the big Montana Pow
er company out of the Occur d'Alenes
Held that has up to this time been
occupied exclusively by the Washing
ton Water Power company and which
1t objects to dividing with a rival that
may eventually get the lions share
The fight will be a bitter one and will
probably result in evening the district
70 power competi:i.r, which, in con
hection with the authority vested in
the utilities comm TN should insure
more reasonable ra.es for electric en-
ergy.