Imperial Valley press., 1921-06-09
AN OPEN LETTER FROM
THE PRESIDENT AND
GENERAL MANAGER
OF HOLTON
POWER co.
Th is No of series of communications from
the Hoon Power Company to the people of the territory
serves frankly discussing mutual problems and


men who capitalize them
Now, it is fact readily. demonstrated, that the
interests of the Ho1ton Power Company, of it's GUS
TONER'S and of the territory it serves are Identical
Whatever helps one aids the Others whatever hnders
one, hats the others. The stockholders of the COM
pany are absolutely dependent for any future return
on their investment on the growth and prosperity of
the Imperial Valley Since this growth and prosper
lty are IN turn dependent in large and increasing
measure on the quality, cost and adequacy of the cleo
trical service furnished by the Company sound bust
ness policy, If nothing else would dictate the square
deal between the Company and the territory as the
only alternative to financial suicide
But aside from the unsoundncss, commercially of
any policy other than the Square Deal, there is no
other possible under the laws Of the state within which
the company operates.
The Holton Power Company is engaged, under a
contract with the people of the Imperial Valley au-
thorized by the State Railroad Commission in render
ing vitality necessary service. The terms of this
contract as to rates and service bind the company to
furnish power equitaby, to all consumers at rates
based on the cost of efficient and economical opera
ton and maintenance. under rules and regulations
imposed by the authority of the state.
This cost charged to the consumer is actual cost
and does not cude cent for anything that does
not enter directly into the process of generating
transmitting and distributing power to the consumer
and insuring continuity of service; excepting only
fair return on the reasonable value of the properties
plants and equipment, appraised by the State Rail
road Commission fixed at the lowest rate at which
money can be had for developments necessary for the
public welfare.
Every dollar paid the Holton Power Company by
the consumer represents 100 cents in service as near
ly as the equation be worked out by the expert
mission, after complete auditing of all books and ac
accountants and engineers of the State Railroad Com
counts and exact check methods and costs of oper
aton All books and accounts are kept in compliance
with system imposed by the State Railroad Commits
sion, and statements to the effect that under that
system it is possible to camouflage conceal trans
actions designed to profits or losses are on the
face of them absurd.
What hydro-electric development means in dollars
q no .XoH hos on, x,or1yoI
by experts an addition of one kowat, one and one
third horsepower makes possible the building of one
home the irrigation of four acres, and the employ
ment of one person in industry; an increase in
community wealth estimated at $4,000. Conversely
adverse conditions tending to prevent the needed de-
velopment of single additional kilowatt of hvdro-
electric power may be taken as subtractinp Sc 900
from the potential wealth of the community.
But more immediate and tangible community adj
vantages (apart FROM and additional to- the essential
services rendered) may be credited to the operations
of the Holton Power Company in it's home field.
Setting aside the social and civic assets comprised
in the resident personnel of the Company it may be
worth while to consider the actual disbursements
made in the valley by the Hoton Power Company and
its associated companies in this territory for the
year 1920 a4as I'll. s,~tss@
At Ell Centre, there spent for material $780,
1858; for labor $l65 1875; total $196, 1888.
At Brawley, there spent for material SIS 799 %:
for labor $40, TAI .03 total $76,541O1
At CaexcO, there spent for material SIG, 4O8-
IL; for labor $36, 238.60; total $61 ,647.32.
At Holtville there spent for material SIS 50:
for labor $13,961 OF; total $19,794.66.
At Imperial there spent for material $4 16O-
Sc; for labor $5,803.69; total $9,96465.
At Calipatria and other points there spent for
material and labor a total of ST. 154.43.
Total spent for material and labor within the I'M
peril Valley during 1920, 1857 ,221.05.
These figures include material purchased out
side Imperial County, nor large disbursements for i'm
proving the service within it's bordrs made at points
outside it's boundaries.
We believe these facts entitled to consideration
showing the real relation of the Hoton powr Com
pany and it's Associated Companies to the territory
served by them.