The Fallon standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1920-1958, 1924-09-10

Power Company before the Nevada
public service commission took place
last Friday, the entire day being de-
voted TO taking testimony. This testi-
mony will be reviewed by the COM
mission and decision rendered later.
5ofea Protests Shut Down
Following the refusal of the tax
payers of this city to grant ways and
means to build city owned plant to
take care of the probable and almost
certain loss of electric energy this
tall, the matter of calling upon the
Canyon Power Company to furnish
power was made through the public
service commission by the city coun-
ell and the city attorney, Ell Cam.
1t was realized thatfif II were pos
sible that some action or order should
eminate from the public service com
mission directing the leasing com
pany to furnish power to patrons
With this in 4 view Attorney Cana
took the matter up with the commits
sion and the date of hearing was set.
Chairman Shaughnessy, Robert A
Allen. state engineer, w. H. Sim
mons. a member of the commission,
and Frank Warren. secretary of the
board. were present. as was Edison
Adams and F. ]. Early together with
Mr. Shields, all members of the leas
ing company. The company interests
were represented by Attorney George
Sanford of Carson. while Attorney
Cam presented the facts for this
city. 1ouq f#
Much Testimony 3.
The main. witness for this city was
L. Crehore. who has been responsible
for much Of the electric transmission
lines of the city and who has also
been interested In the development
of power on the project. During the
day he reviewed. the situation as 1t
exists and despite other assertions
insisted that there would not be wat
er enough in the reservoir to con-
tinue operations under the present
conditions. II was his. opinion that
fifteen days would conclude the sea-
sons power operations unless there
was some auxiliary. power furnished
or line extended from the Truckea
River General Electric service. 1t
was his opinion that the leasing COM
pany should be directed to furnish
POWER from one OF the other source
Much Techricality
During the hearing there was SO
much of a technical nature that the
ordinary layman was considerably
confused, as 1t dealt with everything
but the main fact that water is drop
ping steadily and that the leasing
company is not making a move to
provide power when the shortage
occurs. go 50 a-e#a-s.s go
Mr.. Shaughnessy wanted to know
just what was the source of relief
and It was pointed9out that the leas-
ings power company holds a ten-year
lease on the Lahontan plant and that
the, company, should under the cir
cumstanceo be forced to provide
means of power in case of the pres
ent. shortoge and likelihood of other
dry seasons EaH
To the layman there was much
stated in kiIowatts and amps that
pressure and footage and loss in
trap psmission and kother electrically
connected subjects that could have
been made much plainer by a state
ment of facts as they exist. AS Ii re-
mains the city has put itself on a
technical record which will have to
be .digested by the commission and
the. company attorney made so many
objections that II will take about
half the brief to decide the ques-
tions.
Sees Power
John F. Richardson, project sG-
perlntendent, was ON the stand anG
was closely questioned by both at
toreys. The gist of Mr. richardson s
testimony was that he had every
reason to believe that there would
be "A minimum delivery of electric
power to this city during the fall
months.
He based this opinion on water
measurements and bank reserves
Under his calculations there should
be 400 horse power generated as the
minimum production, which accord
ing 10 his figures, would be suffi-
eient to furnish lights and power for
smaTl motors in this city.
Truckee May Help
II was indicated by the testimony
of MIR. Richardson that the Truekee
river. may assist in the power situa-
ton, At the conclusion of the irriga-
ton season II is possible that the
pumps may continue In operation as
sanitation and public utility can be
considered as essential in continu-
anee, II is possible that the public
seryice commission may order tho
power company to- foot such a. bill
and as Reno and Sparks must have
water for sanitation following the
closing of the irrigation season. there
is possibility that some water will
be available through the canal.
Question OF Delivery
While this plan has keen discussed
there is a general belief that II would
be question Of delivery. as tbs
Fernley, Hazen and bench farmers
undoubtedly would make an effort
to use some of this water The ques
tion of who will foot such hill Is
also "a problem. II Is realized that
the farmers of this project will moi
pay. for. continued. service and the
city of Fallon should not be called