The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1941-01-16
power GROUP
IS PREPARED

The electrical industry is fully pre-
pared to play its role in national de-
fense-and locally it is ready to pro-
vide sufficient power to meet every
demand made for electrical energy to
operate the mines, docks, elevators and
manufacturing plants-M. L. Hibbard,
president of the minnesota Power &
Light Co., told a gathering of the
Power Company's Range Division or
ganization at their annual meeting
held at the Park Hotel, in Eveleth
Speaking on the preparedness of the
utility industry in the national defense
scene, Mr. Hibbard informed the
gathering that "the United States does
not need to divert any public tax
money for additional power facilities
nor for additional means of transmits
sion of energy produced"
Suggestions which have been made
in the name of national defense that
public funds be appropriated for the
construction of generating stations and
transmission lines "have been made
without the full knowledge of the
facts and without appreciation of the
electrical facilities which have been
provided within the last few years
by both public and private authorities"
"No public funds need be diverted
at this time into field which already
is so adequately prepared for all de-
mands which may be made upon it."
said Mr. Hubbard.
The Range area, he pointed out, is
one of the vital spots in the nations
preparedness program because from
here must come the bulk of the iron
ore supply so essential in the nations
program of national defense.
"We recognize our responsibility in
the defense program" Mr.. Hubbard de-
clared, "and you may be assured that
our company has prepared itself to
meet every emergency which may arise
in this program of preparedness. Both
our local engineering staff, and that
of the Electric Bond and Share system,
which is the parent company of the
Minnesota Power & Light Co., have
given the situation a great deal of
study over period of years"
'The process of developing an ex-
tenSive system of transmission lines,
hydro-electrie and steam electric gen.
Grating plants over a period of years
has provided northeastern Minnesota
with such a tremendous supply Of
electrical energy that we are in a posi-
ton to carry on throughout 1941 with
out provision for further production |
facilities" the power company execu-
tive said
Mr.. Hubbard pointed to the develop |
ment of the electrical industry in
northern Minnesota and it's part in |
the national utility picture During the
World War years, it was pointed out,
more than half dozen individual
companies operated in the Arrowhead
area, and many individual plants were
dependent upon their own power
plants for electrical energy. None of
these companies were in a position to
serve their districts, and
it was through the holding company
and the Minnesota Power g. Light Co.,
that these individual companies were
oiOuSiI OOSC1iiCl, PIOFlocO improved
administration, better engineering IA
cilities and sounder financing.
The Minnesota Power & Light Co.,
In turn, Is associated with and is part
Of the Electric Bond and Share Sys-
term. The holding company, which
proved so successful in the growth of
;he automobile and steel industry, was
adapted to the needs of the electrical
Utilities in the 1920's, and the finan-
,ial resources of the Electric Bond
and Share System, together with the
experienced management and expert
engineering advice, has been one of
he principal factors in the develop
nent Of the extensive northern MINI
1esota power system of 1910, Mr.. Hib-
bard said. /
''The large mining industry In the
Range area, as well as all industries
n Duluth and In all parts of the Min
lesota territory served by the Com
oany, viii be able to depend upon
electrical power for all emergencies
which may arise out of the defense
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