Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1914-03-12
THE POWER SITUATION.

Nc'o6HIAH6 Lne tAleHl OF popular
interest in the power situation in
southern Idaho, and believing that
the public as a whole is fair minded
in its judgment when fully informed
upon subject, we desire to present
the real situation in a concise and
truthful manner for general consid-
GRAFTON by our customers.
The utilities act is sweeping one.
On one hand it is intended TO pro-
tect the public against excessive
rates and poor or inadequate service,
and on the other hand it is supposed
to protect those who have Invested
their money in developing the re-
sources o. The state from unwisa and
wasteful competition. In this par
ticular it is exactly like all the state
iiility acts. This company lid not
at first favor the passage OF the pub
lie utilities bill 1t was considered
more or less premature In the
power business, it gave the commits
sion exclusive jurisdiction over the
rates. 1T seemed to have the sup
port Of the people, however. and be
came a law by act of the legislature
Our schedule II lighting rates is
somewhat higher than that of our
competition, and it is this schedule
that the commission has ordered re-
duced. Our rates for sign lighting,
irrigation pumping, water heating,
cooking, residence and commercial
heating, and the average rates for
power, etc, are and always have been
lower than those of our competitor.
In cities and towns the size of
those in Idaho, il is impossible, and
thing unknown elsewhere, to have
any permanent competition on ac-
count of the duplication of great and
growing investments and because of
the high cost of maintaining and op-
Grating two systems. Knowing that
there was not sufficient business in
The territory which we occupied to
support two companies, and being
prevented by law from handling our
/
rates in our own way, we had no re-
course except to ask the commission
to enforce the law and protect our
investment against the wasteful and
INSCRIPTIONS competition which
threatened. The commission there
upon decided that our competitor
must obtain a certificate of necessity
in line with the statutes before in
vading our territory. 1t is this rul-
ing that our competitors are now try
ing to evade.
We truly believe that if the pub
lie would make a careful study of the
situation, as those concerned have
done, they would be as adverse to
competition as we are ourselves. EX-
perience has proven that competitive
conditions last for but a very short
period in any case, and that sooner
or later the interests involved com
blne. either through mutual agree
ment, actual necessity, or account of
the sheer power of money. Then
what? The law provides that the
commission must make such rates
for every company as will produce
sufficient revenue to allow them TO
earn reasonable return uprl their
Investment. If competition is per-
rIilted, the investment in each local
iiy will be duplicated. and, sooner or
later, when combination is erected,
the public will be called upon to pay
much higher rates than they s:oul ]
had they not favored bringing abou,
competitive conditions. In addition
to this, the streets and alleys will be
disfgured by an extra system of pole.
that offer little attraction at best.
Think the matter over seriously
those of you who have been looking
at the matter from only the presenI
T popular standpoint. We believe thai
you will agree that our position i.
logical and fair to you yourself anC
10 those who have invested in youl
state and your community in antici
> patton of your continued support
> and cooperation.
. Great Shoshone & Twin Falls Wa
! ter Power Co., by f. A. Williams
! Com. Agt.