The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-08-31
Private Power Opens Super-Lobby;
Will Fight MVA

Washington of
Sunday
20 is reprinted dn here with these two passing comments
projects public expense first power COM
panes they take their before the
the public which built the projects?
The fact that this eT suRs0y Of the power companies
thing will fight suggests strongly that thing the ought
in our region Missouri Valley Authority DAD "
gigantic private power industry is about
begin pouring of its millions into superobbying
campaign to combat the increasing public ownership of
properties.
August l. offices be opened Washington by the
National Association of Electric Companies proclaimed to
resent firms serving 10 million rate than half
the industry
industry the old National Electric Light got
congressional inquiry disclosed
had subsidized college professors grade and high school
books tailored ORDER and otherwise obibed the nation
and congress.
Since the the insult other brought
about the 1885 Holding Company Act the electric
dustry whole has been somewhat careful about it's lobby
ing propaganda activities The industry supposed
to be living down old scandals operated from the storm
cellar
KnuckIes Barred
The Council of Electric Operating Companies maintained
modest offices in Washington and carried on moderate cam
pagn behalf of private utilities Newspaper magazine
advertisements of INSTITUTIONAL nature purchased by
167 associated light and power companies.
Now the council office will be closed The organi
cation is expected to out with barred knuckles
Lobby ''n Best Sense"
Preparation NAEC has going on for several
within the industry AS well national activity reg
ional activities of the companies planned
where the old National Electric Light Association dropped it.
Certainly not, replied leader 'It the Casper
queoas of the industry have been brought to that
live the past better if don't act like ostrich
"It going to resume our job of lobbying
sure-in the best sense of the word
Plenty of Money
Repeatedly, the NAEC will be permanent with wellpaid
executives and plenty of operating It's advance
of purpose sound about like they could be
pected to.
1t WILL the announcements say present the facts
public benefits resulting from the operation of taxpayng
electric utility companies 1t will seek to maintain the in
egrity of the industry
A leader said:
'It have vital story to tell and going
tell it from headquarters with the door And
his will story of and figures not the mis-
understood type of publicity which has been to the
power companies for too long,.
Spokesman claim will cooperate development of
hydro projects and multiple DAMS
including projects but will seek the right private
Utilities buy the at fair return to the taxpayers
they will fight other method of operation especially
gainst TVA-type regional authorities 81
They it not inspired merely to oppose establish
nent of Missouri Valley Authority.
Chicagoan Is Head IT,
President NAEC will be Purcell L. Smith, Chicago, who
resgning president of Middle West Corporation utility a
gliding Helping in the Washington establishment
been A. c. Ophant attorney who at time
eced old National Electric Light Association p
the American Power and Light Company of New in
still the controlling interest in the Nebraska Power e
ompany President E. Davidson forwarded contribution
, the organization in behalf of NPC. en-
After the onprof Omaha Electric Committee acquired
stock and announced it's aim full public IN
the contribution returned because it apparent
Nebraska Power Company wouldn't to
enefs Nebraska Union Farmer. Ne