Imperial Valley press., 1936-02-02
Battle Lines Drawn
For Power Supremacy

Continued From Page Il
animation OF the consulting engi-
neer.
You realize" Coil said, that the
loss of 90 per cent Of our business IN
this county would mean virtual ruin
for this company?'
Extension Attacked
The irrigation district, the county
and the Imperial County Farm Bu-
reau had attempted to prove
throughout the session that eXten-
sion by the Southern Sierras lines
into rural areas will be adverse to
the interests Of the public in Imper-
ial Valley since it would help TO
block out eventual development by
the district power for rural consum-
ers and would act as a stumbling
block in the path Of the All Amerl-
can canal power program.
The power company, on the other
hand, contends that it is acting IN
the best interests of the public by
attempting to serve rural consumers
without charging them for the ser
vice. Under cross by
Chief Counsel Harry w. Horton OF
the irrigation district, Cage denied
that the power company's rural eX-
tension efforts are intended to de-
feat the districts power program.
The extensions, Cage added, seem
feasible as a result of the possibility
of obtaining lower interest rates, and
because of economies in large-scale
construction work as against con-
struction of a few extensions at a
time.
Cage also elaborated on the ear
ier statement Of Attorney Coil that
the company's rural electrification
experiment Originated in Washing
ton. and will become a yardstick for
the consideration Of the federal gov
ernment, the state commission and
the power company as to the feaSi-
biIity of such developments in the
valley"
Coil went on to say that, mo
rights of the company are affected
by the order; it has received no
right it did not already have to ex-
tend its lines. The only person af-
fected is the rural consumer, and
he is affected favorably. We can
still build the lines; but the prob
lem will settle itself. If it is true
that the landowners object to the
service and refuse it, the power COM
pany will not build the lines. But if
they do want the service, who is
there to say they cannot have it,"
No Right To Operate
Imperial county, represented by
District Attorney Elmer w. Heald,
contended that the power company
has no right TO operate in Imperial
county by constructing any lines
outside Of incorporated areas.
Heald introduced evidence Friday
afternoon that the company has
never received a permit or franchise
from the board Of supervisors al
lowing it to run lines in the coun-
". Such a permit, the county con-
tends, is necessary.
Summarized, the case in opposi-
tiCn to the Southern Sierras plan is
based on the theory that rural line
extensions would seriously hinder
the irrigation districts power pro-
gram. and that realization of this
program is necessary TO the welfare
Of Imperial Valley In support of
this contention, these salient points
were made in testimony:
/ That Imperial and Coachella
Valley consumers bear more than
the average cost of power distribut-
ed By the Southern Sierras.
2. That power delivered TO main
sub-stations would cost the irriga-
ton district less under the All Am
crican canal project than the cost
Of present power delivered to the
Southern Sierras.
g. That the first nine years of
power distribution by the irrigation
district would leave S4,130,000 clear
after deduction of costs for opera