The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1944-04-07
Is the Governor Running Shell Came?

Sporsmens Missoula Saturday night
Sam Ford warned the people of Montana keep their
bill pending congress which, Ford affrms will deprive
the of Montana of the of the rivers of Mon
tana for irrigation thus endangerng the future of
the Treasure state
in his Mssoua other speeches. strives
the impression that the national
cerned only flood control and navigation and that if this bill
enacted into law will be great calamity comparable to
that which would have ensued had Faead lake been raised
increase the production of hydroeecrica
the dam and elsewhere along the Columbia after
the water leaves Montana forever.
In the battle to keep the level of Fathead Lake at the
point which the Montana Power Co. raised when the Kerr
dam built everybody in Montana including the
the various chambers of commerce. the multiple knife and fork
municipalities removed the hundreds of
good folks who had been within hundred miles of Flat
head lake. everybody almost except the Montana Power Co.,
joined in fighting the government to sandst and the day
saved?
To fellow perhaps less vgian than the it
appear advisable keep eyes the Montana Pow
Co. filed suit in federal May %, 1889 wherein
the right the entire flow of waters of the Mis-
alleged that certain Broadwaer
county making preparations to of that water to
rrgate their respective farm properties The utility asked
an Injunction to keep the farmers from using Missouri river
and the company proceeded attempt to quiet title
the company to the entire flow of the river Later
hearing had before Attorney Howard Tooe who
designated Master Chancery Mr. Tooe did not
tarte all Montanans when ne announced innings
ing that the corporation be granted the relief for which
prayed October 2 1912 the Hon. Charles N Pray judge
of the u district court adopted the recommendations of Mr.
Tooe which he held that the Montana
Co. correct in its contention that had the right
the of the entire flow of the waters of the Missouri
the Broadwater farmers had right divert that
irrigation of their farms unless the utility consented
the further enjoned the farmers from
interfering with In effect the waters of the
Missouri river became the private property of the utility com
pany despite the fact the corporation has failed to
build any of the several plants along
the stream.
Federal Power Commission to the of the
farmers when sent member of its legal staff to
that the appealed to the circuit court
appeals San Francisco where the decision of Judge Pray
Attorney Tooes findings argued and reversed
held the matter within the province of
he state and federal Unless the Montana
Co. prevail upon the u supreme court to
of appeals the matter will in all likelihood be
brought the state courts where the good people of Mon
will be obliged to keep their focused At such
hoped that of political champions will
and fvoced they have been in their eab
espousa of rights they denounce what they
efforts of Uncle Sam to steal the waters of Montana
We fear however, that such champions will wilt and
Hence will prevail in their hallowed precincts.
passing might remark that not familiar with
single instance where the federal has taken away
for irrigation purposes though know of in
where has expended vast of to construct
nd equip irrigation projects. Here in the Bitter Root after
enterprise had bunged and burged private initiative had
cen permitted full sway and what is the Bitter Root
irrigation had been thrice broke and pundered Uncle
stepped provided the funds and direction which has