The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1949-08-19
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III 80 IdI dS puDllc benefit ana wei
fare are concerned.
The effect of these amendment,
is to provide huge appropriations
for the construction of these power
projects, but upon completion to
turn them over to the domino ton
and control of private power utilities
for exploitation and private profit.
This, of course, would constitute
a most pernicious example of. spe-
cial-interest legislation. 1t would
enable these private utilities !. to
exploit these areas and make enor-
nous profits through the govern
ment's investment. At the same
time, it would break down and des-
troy the governments program for
extension of reclamation, flood con-
troll, rural electrification, resources
development, and general economic
improvement of the country. The
federal power program and its re-
ceipts from the sale of power is the
essential prop to all these other ac-
Invites.
The committee amendments
constitute a reactionary program
which should startle the people of
the nation when they understand
its full implications. 1t would
have an immediate effect on our
total national economy. 1t would
penalize our system of free enter
IL al
on farmers and businessmen, de-
structive of free enterprise and
democratic government. =.
The proposed amendments in the
senate appropriation bill, if accepted,
will bring the national power policy
set forth in these great statutes to
a standstill; and this is done not by
frank amendment of the basic laws,
after full and open debate, but by
the manipulation of money items
and by legislative language in the
bill and in the committee report.
All the recommendations of the
power utilities and their represent
atives at the hearings were re-
ceived and followed in each in
stance, despite the fact that sew
eral hundred people from four
states travelled thousands of miles
to Washington to appear as wit
nesses before the committee in
support of the governments pro-
gram.
The record of the hearings shows
hat these witnesses substantiated In
every respect the rights and eco
ionic needs of their areas for the
power plants and facilities proposed
% be constructed. The committee,
however, accepted all the recommen-
lations of the power utilities and re-
ected all the recommendations of |
he scores of witnesses who appeared
n support of the government pro-
ram.
This action of the committee af-
ects practically every part of the
ation. In Montana alone, several
italy important projects were de-
eted from the list:
kerr-Anaconda Transmission Line
First: The Kerr-Anaconda trans
Mission line, to carry this power into
principal load center in Montana
there it will be available for the
evelopment of extensive resources
4 that area. This is conceded in
ne testimony to be an indispensable
AGILITY. Without this line, the pri-
rites which were guaranteed to us
ill be wiped out and we can have
o industrial development. It's re-
sction turns over to the Electric
ond & Share Company of New York
ontrol of Montana's share of the
over from the Hungry Horse prof.
It and grants that company, through :
s subsidiary, the Montana Power .
a monopoly over the trans !
ission and use of public power in
lat area.
Canyon Ferry Power Facilities :
Second: The Canyon Ferry power 8
lcilities. This is a vitality import y
1T part of the Missouri basin de- +
slopment plan. The Canyon Ferry o
multiple-purpose dam which will n
'ovide important irrigation and .
power in Montana. 1t q