Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-01-07
Hard Times
Have Affected
Utilities Operation
Reduced Business Reported by Gas,
Water and Electric Concerns-Is
Expanding Facilities.

two years have presented operating and
management problems of extreme mag
nitude to the public utility industry
according to Halford Erickson, vice
president in charge of operation, Byl-
lesby Engineering and Management
Corporation, of which the local Noun
tain States Power Company is a sub
sldiary. The falling off in manufactur-
ing and trade has resulted in decreased
loads while abnormally low water con-
ditlons IN territories served largely by
hydro electric generating stations have
contributed further to the problems of
maintaining high standards of service.
particularly in those communities
where growing demands for rural and
domestic service have been in evil
dence.
Electric output of utilities in the
Standard Gas and Electric Company
system for the twelve months ending
October 81 totaled 4,449,O26,787 kilo-
watt-hours, compared with 4,612,499,
973 kilowatt-hours in the previous
twelve month period, decrease of
3.87 per cent during the same period
IN total electric output in the United
States. Despite general adverse condi-
tons, domestic electric sales increased
about eight per cent during this period,
partly offsetting the decline in sales
for industrial purposes.
During 1881, no properties Of any
size were added to the Standard Gas
and Electric Company system. Sub
stantial construction expenditures, how
ever, were required for developing and
expanding existing properties. Com
bined net earnings Of all subsidiary and
affiliated public utility companies of the
Standard Gas and Electric Company for
the twelve months ended October 81, |
1881, showed decrease of 2.O9 per
cent, as compared with the previous
twelve months, while gross earnings
decreased 4-57 per cent. This indicates
that the company has met the decline
IN gross earnings by effecting operat-
ing economies preventing the net from
declining as much as gross earnings
turing the past year.
The preliminary construction bud
get for 1882 totals $25,O15,966 which
Includes $3,508034 for projects now
inder construction which were not
completed in 1881. Unfinished con-
truction during 1881 includes the
respect diversion project of The Cal
fornia Power Company system which
viii not be placed in service until 1882.
he largest part of the expenditure in
1872, according to preliminary figures,
yill be in the electric department
16,347 300; the gas department will ex-
end $3,3l9,809, and $5,338857 will be
expended for other departments, in
luding general construction. !
THE Byllesby managed utilities are !.
eng maintained in the best of con-
ition, notwithstanding the immediate :
ecline in business, and the construc-
on program indicates that new facili-
es are being installed to fully meet
ublic demands. Earnings during the
epression period have been sufficient :.
} justify this policy. Even small ;.
Improvement in general business will
e reflected in earnings, as a result of :
of dependable service, and :
le development and expansion work :
lat are being carried on now are an
1ded protection to investors in public :.
tility securities. =
AT the close of 1881 certain evil :,
ances of relief from unemployment J,
I'd low production problems were be- :,
inning to appear. Retailers stocks !,
ere SO low that they were hardly ).
Efficient even to take care of the
minished demand. Agricultural con- ].
tons improved during the past two l.
onths, and marketing conditions for =
csc products also seemed somewhat
iproved- Early snowfall and heavy ~
ms have been reported in many of :
G territories served by companies in
G system, resulting in better condi- :
ms at our hydro plants than have
eyailed for some time