The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1948-01-30

The dam IN no event should be Dull
until the company makes agreement
to the ALLEGATION of water needed TO
irrigation and to the operation of it
existing dams in conformity with ;
valley-wide power and water contro
program.
T. We condemn the refusal thus fal
of the Montana Power company t.
enter into wheeling arrangements
with the Bureau of Reclamation tC
permit the bureau to serve public
bodies, co-operatives and irrigation
pumping loads in the territory of Mon
tana Power company operations. In
view of the fact that the Montana
Power company and another existing
private power utility take 81 percent
of the power produced at publicly
owned and controlled Fort Peck pow
er installation at extremely low rates
per kilowatt hour, these companies
have a moral obligation to the people
of Montana and the northwest to re-
ciprocate with exchanges of services.
s. We heartily endorse the principle
local governments in lieu of taxes.
Experience in the Tennessee valley
is that not only have private citizens
been able to pay their own taxes more
easily as a result of a stable economy
but IVA payments in lieu of taxes
have increased considerably the total
payments to local and state govern
ments
A Colossal Hoax"
8. We oppose the Pick and Sloan
plan as a colossal hoax offered in a
misty atmosphere of glitteTing gen.
eralities, ignoring entirely the real
problems. 1t is now known there is
not sufficient water in the Missouri
valley for both navigation and irriga-
ton developed separately. On the as
sumption that extremes in these two |
developments can be satisfied at the |
same time with insufficient water con- |
gress has appropriated millions of dol I
airs for development. We ask for an |
end to such careless spending of |
money and request realistic con-
;ideratiOn of the problems of the Mis-
souri, valley. Before further appro-
)riations for the Missouri valley are
made, an inventory, through appro
,riate studies, of the actual water
esources available should be con- |.
ucted so that effective development
viii be assured
TO- We are gratified by the action
f the President in calling attention
0 the soundness of valley authorities
ype of legislation as exemplified by
VA and sincerely hope that all po-
tical parties conducting national
will forthrightly indorse
UGH legislation and demand its en-
ctment.
IL. The present power shortage in
Iontana makes it urgent that hydro
lectric power development as pro-
Osed through Missouri Valley Au-
lority be started Immediately. De
1ite claims of private power utilities
the state about adequate supplies
power, two private power COM
snies are already taking 81 per cent
the public power being generated
Fort Peck while many REA coop
atiVeS have insufficient power to
eet the normal demands of their
any patrons. Not only is further
pansion of power use being hamp-
ed but we face the prospect of a
itical power famine. One dry sea-
n in Montana could welI-nigh be
nous.
AS an aid to the relief of the press
g power shortage we favor compile
IN of the Hungry Horse project at
g earliest possible date.
II. We condemn the proposed CO.
erative agreement between the For
Service and the Neils Lumber
mpany as another raid on our ma
raj resources and as a creation of
complete monopoly Of the lumber
lustry in northwest Montana
rough the action and with the Off
i approval of the Forest Service.
We urge the enactment by the Mon
Ia legislature of a forest conserva-
n bill patterned after the Oregon
lservation act to protect and extend
forest resources
g. We extend best wishes to all