The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1944-12-15
SENATOR KELLEY
CORPORATIONS ACTING GOVERNOR
By J. D. L..

past week Sem w E. Kelley republican of Powell
county president pro of the has been the acting
by the absence from the state
Governor Ford and of Lieutenant Governor Eaton On the
day he assumed the office the Company featured
page story picture of the This
devoted to telling what great statesman the senator has
been.
pany papers appeared article quoting the senator that the
adoption of the MVA would destroy existing water right
in Montana matter how old and its adoption would destroy
all of the water DEGREES in the state.
Senator Kelley lawyer and this fact would tend to
make his words carry weight H the layman But
lawyer he knows that his statement not correct He
knows that right much property the land
which the water be used and that either state
national may take this right away from rancher without
due process of law only be taken after condemnation
proceedings and with full compensation to the owner
The MVA act does not contain single provision which
would to the authority else the right to take
ones water right The only power the authority would
have that held by the Bureau
Reclamation the Army Engineers the Montana Water
Conservation Board Any attempt to enact legislation which
would have the effect of making of
paper Kelley said would of be unconstt
the senator himself lawyer must know
How then can we account for the would make
such statement? Kelley has served for long time
the and much of that time floor leader for the
party. has invariably been to the Company he IS
reelected each time with Company aid He generally rec
ognzed by the spokesman for the Company on
all legislation After ne has spoken on Dill every MEMBER
knows the company's position
The Company does not Montanas developed
by anyone either by the state by the Reclamation Bureau
the neither does Senator Kelley Now of course
that conceived the senator and the Company
that they
that only because under they hope to continue their mo-
nopoy power by buying from the bureau at
low figure and by reseng this publicly developed power
the public that built the dams at handsome profit to itself
while the power developed by the MVA 1t VIII be sold
to the cost without profit accrung to
the company.
But before the MvA picture the Company
opposed any water development by including
the state Water Conservation Board
suit pending in federal courts the Montana egs
lature Kelley introduced innocent
appearing bill in the senate which he described in speech
the floor designed to aid the water board he
followed on the floor by another company mounpece
Toomey Lewis and Clark who exoled the virtues
spokesman advocating bill to strengthen the Water onserVa
Board when the Independent members republican and
alike knew that the Company was trying to ham
string destroy the board aroused the suspicion OF ese
Independent members
An examination of the Kelley bill which Senate Bill
No TT disclosed that not many in making
he amendment but the insertion mot here and there
hanged the powers board that could not build
leading from its reservoirs to the farms to be served
md the provisions giving to the board the return
low of it's developed Had been passed the Water
would completely destroyed and this what
Kelley and the Company wanted The bill was insurance Tor
he Comnanv in the event the Broadwater suit which it
lid had been enacted the outcome OF that suit would
lave of little moment The vigilance OF the Independent
senator's was too much Tor heeley anu ne was Aoioeo ~
lraw the bill.
His statement on the MVA made in his familiar role
IS companv bewether and spokesman understanding of
lis and of connection with the Company
for his irresponsible and extreme statement against
he MVA.
eicitng from its ooges every where in desperate attempt
dscredit MVA Montana and to brighten farmers and
into believing the establishment of an MVA Will
eopardze their existing water rights While there are always
sides and while honest citizens may have
the desrabliy of an VA every Monanan IN
esoving those should keep mind the interest OF
hose opposing like Senator Kelley and closely
xamne sweeping statement his in the light OF
eason and and at the same time keeping IN
lind the interest that speaker be serving trying
prevent the enactment the Murray bill setting the
uthority.