Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1920-07-30
IDAHO POWER coMPANYs TALK
TO ITS CUSTOMERS.

Job and he can't answer all calls
Fire broke out in your home and the
city apparatus was so antiquated
through lack Of funds that il was no
help to you
Or
Your children had to go to a school
that was ramshackle affair
YOU WOULD KICK. A meeting OF
citizens would be called to Investigate.
II the trouble was lack Of funds. there
would be a unanimous vote for more
taxes. That in one phase OF the prin-
ciple OF self government.
I THE PEOPLE MUST SUPPLY
/ THEIR SERVANTS WITH sUFFT-
GENT MONEY TO PROVIDE
NEEDED SERVICE.
The Idaho Power is a public servant.
l State laws demand that we give 1Oae
/ service. control our franchises. regulate
our method Of doing business with our
! customers, limit the maximum amount
rates. Acting for the people to pro-
( vide them with electrical service. we
/ buy the time Of our employees. we
/ purchase all necessary supplies and
secure the money required for con-
structiOn and developement. Every
thing that goes to make up the entire
cost of operation is betrayed by US IN
behalf of our customers. To operate
successfully our rates to our customers
must be ample to defray these costs
and at the same time insure us a just
return on the money actually invested
in providing this service.
The unusual business conditions
existing for some time past have not
allowed US to realize from our present
rates anywhere near the return we are
entitled TO and has resulted in very
serious condition which We. as your
agents in providing electric service.
should present to you.
Our customers are familiar with
conditions existing in 1919. when the
demand for power equalIed our power
capacity. Our load. due to the growth
Of the territory served. has materially
Increased each year and we hsve been I
required for several years past to pro +
vide annually additional transmission
lines and power plant capacitv There .
appears TO be no question but rnat I
Ike growth in electrical requirements :
will continue each year and mus de-
nand continued and additional develop
ments. This building program oan-
not be carried out under the present
poor financial showing Of the company
That means that the progress OF
Idaho viii be handicapped -Ii-eraug
throttled for progress requires an ann
pie supply Of elctric power.
Consider the reason for this con-,
dition
In the past five years. wages have
increased 66e5- Supplies SOC TO 1000
Taxes 1i6ee-cost of money t0e
The amount of money YOU spend for
power and light is almost the same as
t was in 1918. yet it goes less than
1ne-half as far in paying our expenses.
Rates have not kept pace with cost.
therefore we cannot finance develop
nent For example:
In 1915 we bought certain amount
If material for s1OO and money cost US .
&C. Today the same amount of
Material costs US $3.50 and this larger
mount OF money costs US at least
1E. Therefore to do the same
mount of work today we must not
My pay much more for it but a much :,
reater annual carrying cost.
Instead of So on 800 we must paw -
10 on $3.50.
Your interests and our interests are !
ientical
You need 1000 service and we want n
, give 1000 service.
You are. Of course. familiar with the
price of everything that en-
rs into the operation of your own r.
fairs and SOU doubtless know that !.
ithout the increased price that you >.
stain from YOUR products that YOU 81,
ould De in sad predicament We
I'VE explained our predicament frank
for we must work toward q firmer -
sis. A basis that is just 70 au
Sincerely. s..
IDAHO POWER COMPANY IN