The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1947-04-18


the nation. It's influence is so all-per
vasive that it may lead the way to a
genuine era of free competitive enter
prise, a wider distribution of the ma
tional income, and general national
prosperity. Such are the realizable
possibilities in the development of
atomic energy. Small wonder that the
already well entrenched private power
monopoly fights anything and any
body that may bring about these de-
sired outcomes.
Montana, For Example
"The part played by the privately
owned electric-pOwer companies in the
affairs of government is well recog-
MED. AS rule, state and municipal
legislatures are forced to suspend &C
ton on all measures, however meritor-
ious, which have not had the green
light from this powerful group.
"Here in Washington one can never
tell from day to day what public in
terest will be next to feel its scorching
influence Through the years, this
vast profiteering monopoly cOmbina-
ton, reaching every community in the
land, expresses it's attitude on a wide
variety of matters, some of them seem
ingly only remotely connected with the
electrical industry. Legislation deal
ing with taxation, housing, foreign
and domestic trade. flood control, in
surance. and rural identification. more
often than not, and irrespective of it's
merits, must be able to weather out
attacks of the electric companies-us-
ually speaking with a single voice.
"The electric utilities have built up
a system of public relations and politi-
cal control that parallels the several
levels of government which it seeks to
influence against the best interests of
the public for the selfish and oftimes
anti-social benefits of small group of
men who control them.
Lobby Directs State Governments
cat the state level the private cleo
trio utility companies have single
and usually well-staffed lob
by, intent on using its bullying treasury
and its highly paid personnel to in
fluence legislation and control legisla- |
tors and utility regulatory commits
sions thus, it directs the course of |
state government away from any utili- |
zation of the God-given riches of natur- |
IL waterfall which could so tremend- |
)usly benefit the surrounding commun-
ties
'"The private electric companies use
,actics that have been repeatedly ex-
posed as vicious and un-American and
calculated to bring the democratic
OF. government into general
lisrepute. They seek to prevent the
application of the IVA method of uni
led development, and industrial ex-
'ansion to other regions of the nation.
They seek to dominate and control
he development of all hydroelectric
'Ower in the nation unless they are
'ermitted to dictate the terms of pro-
uction and distribution Does any,
ne doubt that they would, if they
ould, undertake to gain the same
Ldl dCCSI VI COnIIOI over atomic
ower?
The Ecton Amendment?
"It seems to me that the real reason
or desiring the defeat of Mr.. Lilien-
hal has been divulged by the proposed
mendment presented here during the
ebate which proposes to dispose of
he existing Atomic Energy commits
ion and substitute one more to the
king of those who do not wish to see
tonic energy controlled and directed I
l the interests and welfare of the I
hole people.
"a careful study of the remarks on I
that amendment reveals the l
bought and the suggestion that, mas [
luch as our natural resources of min c
rails, fuels, and forests are rapidly L
eing exhausted, and opportunities 1
,r investment of capital and the devel- '
pment of new industries are drying l
p, there is need that private indus
" should have control of the produc- n
on and exploitation of atomic energy u
II industrial purposes. w