The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1944-09-22

claim any amount, and if so what amount, for either
tangible plant water rights, intangibes associ-
aed with many of the hydroelectrc plants operated
by the company, issue which want clearly
understood is not being waived by commission coun-
sci in this case" Replied the Company: 1--WE be-
eve that that part of the argument is entirely i'm
material and improper in this case"
IF the Redistribution proceeding follows its
i course, the Federal Power Commissions decision
the issues debated at the Butte hearing cannot
be expected before late this year early in 1916
since final briefs not due until September After
the Commission, considering the briefs and the hear
ing record, has made its ruling the Company has
thirty days in which to petition for rehearing by
the Commission and if this is denied sixty days to
petition for review by the u S. Circuit Court of
Appeals
Meanwhile there have been reports that the Com
pany has offered to compromise. Paul T. Smith, a
member of the Montana Public Service Commission,
and Arthur f. Lamey one of the interviewer attor-
neys conferred in Washington with FPC members
while the Butte hearing still in progress; ac-
cording to the newspaper The Peoples Voice, they
took east Company offer to write off S450O0,O00,
but this has not been confirmed by official govern
ment Company sources.
Such maneuver, if the compromise could have
been made to appear negotiated by or through the
Montana commission, might have proven political
benefit to Chairman Middleton of the Montana
board, especially if result of it he could have
announced Company consent to a reduction in do
nestle rates. The FPC whose jurisdiction is linn
tied to interstate transactions could not directly
force reduction of rates in Montana if it de-
cided the Company overcapitalized its ultimate
ruling, however would govern any interstate rates,
and also the Companys dealings with the SEC on
future bond and stock issues and probably with in
vestment bankers
TN Montana's July primary election, Middetons
IL opponents in the Democratic governorshp contest
included young progressive supreme court justice
strongly backed by organized labor and the Montana
Farmers Union, and former Democratic governor
who once when a district judge signed a court
order removing from office Buttes labor mayor and
sheriff. while the city under martial law during
union dispute. The Company made no secret of
its opposition to the young progressive, Left Erck
son. and another former Democratic governor, also
named Erickson, induced to participate in the
campaign Middetons behalf in an effort to cut
into the younger mans expected big vote from Mon
tana's Scandinavian farmers. Nevertheless political
insiders said that both Middleton and the third Dem
ocratic candidate former Governor Roy E. Ayers
had been motyated by personal ambition rather than
by Company promises, since the Company was re-
puted to have hoped to give its support to still an
other prominent Montana politician Ayers last
minute filing for the primary was particularly up
setting since 1t apparently resulted in splitting the
conservative vote: Erickson won with a total vote
approxmating the combined vote of his two oppon-
ents and Ayers was a poor third. Company support
in the general election, in view of the Erickson
primary victory was anticipated for the Republican
incumbent, Sam c. Ford
Even a setback in November could hardly kill
off Erickson, phenomenay successful campaigner
who leaped from one term a county attorney in
an eastern border county remote from major cities
to an associate justiceship on the supreme court
He is only thirty-eight Conservative politicians
who could be expected to enter the lists against h
are old men, and the has forestaed development
of young vigorous political talent.
The Companys political outlook, therefore, may
well be the darkest in two decades. In 1920 it
by two candidates in the general election
who both opposed it-Burton K. Wheeler, democrat
and Joseph M. Dixon republican who had managed
Theodore Roosevelts Bull Moose presidential cam
paign Dixon won and promptly inaugurated new
campaign which resulted in adoption
Of an initiative measure imposing added levies upon
Anaconda Coppers production. He lost out in his
bid for reelection in 1924 and since that year
has conservative control of the goyernorship been
seriously threatened until now
The Broadwater defeat, the Butte reclassifcation
rearing and the pending challenge to the legitimacy
IF the Montana Powers occupancy of the Missouri
liver are showing the people that the Company is
lot as impregnable it looks political control
nay yet be wresed from the dominant twins Mon
anans are learning that what has happened else
where could happen in Montana
TT may be recalled that in Through the Looking
Glass Alice remarked to the twins, Really it's
omng on very dark" and asked if they thought it
night rain
Tweedledum spread a large umbrella over him
self and his brother, and looked up into it. mo
don't think it is" he said "at least-not under
here Nohow."
"But it may rain outsider"
1T may-f it chooses" said Tweedledee we've
no objection. Contrariwse"
But it is beginning to look as if the umbrella
lad sprung leak And the clouds rolling over the
lockies are dark indeedl