The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-10-08
By LEVERNE HAMILTON
MORE POWER (TO YOUR

Having IN the proceeding cnapter
briefly scanned one angle of the local
power situation, noted the jittery
state of nerves of YOUR ELECTRIC
| COMPANY" and the "ticklish" situa.
ton in which "Y. E. c." has placed
itself, it is pertinent before passing
on to the broader study of the part
which electrical energy will play In
the evolutionary process, to digress
for a brief study of the manner in
which political wheels have revolved
in Montana, the part "Y. e. c." has
had in their revolutions and the rea-
sons therefor.
In the proceeding chapter, l men,
toned the precarious situation in
whic hey E. c." had placed itself as
a common trespasser on the public
domain and cited two provisions of
the Montana Constitution ARTICLES
III and IV) which hang like the
Sword of Damocles" over the head
of YOUR ELECTRIC COMPANY.
1t is a well known fact that ''Y E.
c." maintains a very powerful and
efficient lobby at every session of the
legislative assembly. 1t is not how
ever so well known to the general
public that there are five major lob
bies of the corporate interests in the
state. These are in the order of their
the ACM, the Railroads,
Your Electric Company, the Insur-
ance companies and the Banks. The
other Hobbies may be considered as
of minor Importance.
Over the heads of these major in
terests hangs the Sword of Dam
ocles" Cart. III and IV) of the state
and while the other four
are not in such "ticklish situation"
as "Y. E. c." they are nevertheless |
seriously afflicted with the Capitalist |
filters" because of that situation.
Another fact not so readily under
stood by the general public is that
.hese big Five" lobbying interests
thoroughly understand the principles
If cooperation and-HOW THEY DO |
Should bill be in
in any legislative session,
which offers a serious threat to the
financial interests of any one of the
Big Five" the sos" Immediately
soes out and there is a rapid gather
ng of the clans" just as the Indian
RIDES formerly gathered to the smoke
ignals. Old timers in the political
'attle readily recall many occasions
vhen bills such as the metal mines
ak, the hydro-electric tax, natural gas
ak, or major amendment to labor
avs were the occasion for the arrival
n Helena of the private cars of sew
raj railroad executives with diners /,
ttached) and the sudden assembling
bankers, insurance men and their ,
legal advisors" from all sections of j.,
he state. The -Four Horsemen" !
nd their cohorts overlooked no bets !,
ossibly some farmer member of the /,
legislature had loan at his local ,
ank or a merchant member had
lortgage on his property, and if so
he little banker from "Hickville"
ould persuade him to listen to rea-
III Ill FOlluS Ou tildI particularly
ill. Or, if financial matters weighed
20 lightly with senator or representa-
We Jones, some friend (either lady
: gentleman) could whisper a few c
ords into his ear which would as i
st in guiding his steps Alright. If i
ot,hat friend would be certain to C
turn up just at the t
Dportune moment. n
A third matter now becoming more q
understood by the public is {
lat these big Five" co-operators be- n
eve in leaving nothing to chance, i"
st as "Rastus" believes in copper h
g his bets" by providing himself U
it'll pair of educated dominoes." n
y an intricate grapevine they "get
lie dope" on legislative candidates =.
ON each of the Sc counties before =
ection and if the political or eco =
)mic belief of candidate does not :
,incide with their ideas of free en- :
rprise" the judicious expenditure of :
few hundred-or thousand-dollars
not too high a price to pay for the