The people's voice., 1944-05-19
SOME ISSUES TO-DAY
STATE

appears timely for discussion of the issues that
the people of the state of Montana and the nation
this 1t to sweep aside the cobwebs of
propaganda deliberately intended to confuse the voters to
ignore the calling and all other forms of the
technique and reach out for simple elemental facts
which Will serve to define some OF the major problems which
face
One of the greatest dangers, Immediately facing the
people of this state the threatened drive by initiative pe
on repeal the primary law the state and provide
the old convention system of naming candidates for office
You should not need to be signing petitions
intended for this purpose Whatever arguments may be
presented by the proponents of this it finally that you
surrender your rights privileges YOUR
candidates for office Be your guard Let smooth
talking agent get signature petition without reading
it carefully.
during the next whether the state shall retain
control of its Missouri river waters whether the Montana
Power Company shall be able to validate their claims them
Inc power company definitely out OF the federal courts but
not barred from starting action in the state courts This
possibility makes mandatory for scrutnze the records
attitudes and affiliations of all candidates for the supreme
with extraordinary The election of the
members to the high court this year. retaining the
use of these waters for the benefit of the people instead of
surrendeng them to corporation organized to exploit for
profit the natural resources and the people of the state
is almost certain that the Federal Power Commission
will order the Montana Power Company to reduce the book
valuation Of its facilities by fifty millions of dollars
valuation if affirmed by the Federal Power Commission will
establish the base which rates for should be fixed
by the state Railroad and Public Service This
agency will in all probability have this question laid in its
lap time this year The members of the Railroad
Public Service Commission will then be faced with the choice
ordering reasonable reduction rates charged the
by the for its services to favor the
this connection be noted that while is probable
that reduction of the book valuations which cons
tute the base which rates fixed be fixed by the
Federal Power Commission at figure which should demand
reduction of about 40 the rates for
month which permitted to by without order from the
Railroad and Public Service Commission to the
make reduction in its rates for service, brings the
company thousands of dollars in velvet When
candidate for membership the Railroad and Public Service
Commission your VOTE ask him what his stand
will be this question This dollars and cents you
Be intellgently selfish.
Some of the questions that might be put to candidate
for the legislature
l. How do stand the proposal to repeal the direct
primary law?
Do you believe that the should develop it's
for irrigation only for both irrigation and public
power? Will you support legislation to accomplish this?
g. Have in mind any proposals for increased control
the state the conduct of the affairs of the state liquor
monopoly Don't think this agency should be supervised
and controlled the other of the state agencies?
It's fiscal affairs and its purchasing?
What is stand taxation? If the state should
need revenue, where do you propose to get it?
Will support adequate appropriations for the state
educational institutions and for the state hospital for the
for the orphans home and for other state institutions
established for the and rehabilitation of unfounates?
Or will you follow the economy line always preached by the
lobby vested interests interested only in safeguarding
their organizations from possible threats of increased taxaon
These only few suggestions. From time to time
others will be made and will have questions of
own.
On the national political front obscurng at all times the