The Blackfoot optimist., 1916-06-15

during the past three days. Many mat
ters of Importance have come to his at
tention as the head Of the State, and
although there has not been much op-
portunity to determine policies, the new
chief executive has shown thoughtful
regard for the wishes of the people
which has endeared him to thos on the
scene.
Was Law Circumvented?
The Washington Water Power Com
pany, of Spokane, which is one of the
public utilities under the control of
the State commission, has recently been
endeavoring to show that the Thompson
Falls Power Company, Montana cor
poration, with the aid of the larger
mining corporations in the Coeur
Il 'Alene section, has engaged in con
spiracy to set aside the utilities law
and rules and regulations in regard to
generations securing permits to do
business in this State.
The matter was brought before the
utilities commission some time ago, and
an extensive hearing was had. The
commission on Saturday last rendered
it's decision, and the contentious were
set aside as not sustained. In sub
| stance the commission decides that the
mining companies in question were not
public utilities and consequently not
under the jurisdiction of the commits
sion, and that the Thompson Falls
Power Company, although public util-
ity, was an Interstate corporation, and
until it endeavors to do business in this
State, could not be regulated.
The main contention of the Wash
ington corporation was that to avoid
State control the power company sold
its electric energy at the State line to
the mining companies in question, who
then transported the electric energy to
the point of use.
Idaho Favoring Preparedness.
This State is giving concrete evi-
dences of belief in preparedness, not
along line for defens. III times of dan
ger and attack, but also in the matter
of creating spirit of true American
ism in the minds of its young through
the school system. Just at present sum-
mer schools for the benefit of the teach
ers, and particularly of those most i'm.
portant members of the profession who
have to do with the rural schools, are in
progress in Boise, PocatellO and Mos
show large enrolment and unusual in
terest and desire on the part of those
attending to take advantage of the op-
portunities offered for the acquisition
Of knowledge and for mental discipline.
This might be called an attempt to
secure a higher standard of citizens
ship and loyalty to national ideals
somewhat indirectly. The more direct
effort will be witnessed in the encamp-
ment of the State troops, which is to
be held in Boise barracks, July 5 to 20.
At this time there will be assembled
the entire body of the Idaho National
/ Guard. During the sixteen days that
the troops will be here an earnest effort
will be made to give the most thorough
training in the work of the soldier pos
sible in so short time, but there will
also be instruction given in patriotism
from the more abstract position of the
! theorist of government.
/ There has been during the past six
weeks sentiment growing in the State
in favor of citizens training camp,
so that those who through age, other
pressing duties or comparative isola-
tion are unable to enroll themselves in
the national guard may not be debarrea
from securing military drill and the
/ fundamentals of soldering. There is
a feeling that this can be brought
about next year, and with the cooper
alton of the general government, so
| far as the furnishing of instruction is
concerned, a citizens camp can be held
here, and perhaps at other points in the
State, next year.
The adjutant general in preparing for
! the coming camp has paid a pretty com.
pliment to former chief executive,
the late Hon. John T. Morrison. There
is a feeling in many quarters that Mr..
+ Morrison was never given due and
proper crdit for the efforts made by him
in the interest of the national guard,
and that it would be well even at this
later date to remember him in this'way
and that if the general government
could be induced to deed to the State
a portion of the present Boise barracks
military reserve for future use by the
State troops, that this plat of ground
might be named after the late ex-gov-
ernor.
Extending Scenic Highways.
The Boise people, AS represented by
the Commercial club, are endeavoring
to secure the cooperation of the forest
reserve authorities and the State high
way department i'll the construction of
a permanent highway along the Boise
river from this city at least as far as
the Arrowroek DAM There is at pres
ent road along the river to that point.
This road, although passable a part of
the year, is at other times difficult of
use by any but the hghtest convey
ances. Last week the highway engi-
neer, Mr.. Booth. in company with a
representative from the Commercial
club. passed over the proposed route.
At that time it was decided to make n
preliminary survey with the object of
bringing the matter to the attention OF
the forest authorities and the State.
; The building of the road from Boise
to Arrowrock, although it would fur
nish wonderfully beautiful drive
along the river for autos and teams, and
would render easV of access a splendid