The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1949-08-19
Taxation Without Representation. ,
Or-Maybe Montana Needs Modern-day James Otis To
Lead Revolt Against Public Service Commission

Lead Revolt Against Public Service Commission
Back those haowed days of when the ubversves
of rs stirring restlessy under yoke King George
there amongst them spirited young Bostonian
James Otis, who with immortal phrase aroused the
czeny that successful revolt against Mother England
suited
Having last weeks order by the Service
Commission wherein bestowed upon Montana Dakota U
tiles the commissions argess the $6250000
dona income off during the
am of the opinion that has for modern
day James Otis to appear upon the public paudum
sist that Ratexng without representation rascay
Rascary supdityca it what will there has seldom
been garng example disregard for the rights of
people by public body than the approval
granted by the commission to Observation-Disclosures Seldom has
financial bucaneer worked scheme to fleece the
pie that the lush payof the mehodicay
together the fertile brains the MDU high command
scheme which if permitted stand will find MDU
stockholders for investment of $135O0O0 reaping
profit off natural of approximately
Sl5OOO0OO their initial $4,000 investment all repaid and
themselves further enriched by complete ownership of
ery worth upwards of $40 million at the end of 25
Of course shouldn't be too hard on MDU-after ALL
they're enough such plan and then
they deserve efthanded credit In view of this
therefore, shall make further attempt to chase the
struggling utility serving eastern Montana.
Rather, blame for giving substance such ridiculous
proposition that propounded by MDU, be placed
squarey door of the Montana Public Service Commits
instance, who of such maarky the
granting substantial increases monopoly the
ton that this that and the next thing possibly about
sometime within the next sixteen months? Figure out how
quick you the customer of old John the Grocer would go
elsewhere to trade if john after months of planning
suddenly that of certain date he going to
sense? Of it exceptunke with the corner
grocery you're stuck to trade with Montana Dakota Mon
Dakota has monopol-and either acquiesce and
go back to shoveng COAL and that's fun
when the mercury hits 40 below Glasgow
instance-how the Public Service Com
mission subboy refused grant eastern Montana
reasonable length of time in which to in
opposition? Likewise how that body refused to hold
hearing northeastern Montana rather than make
protesan from that to approximately 400
Helena? Are not the people of that taxpayers
Citizens? Since Commissioner Horace Casey found
against MDU, why didn't he publicly
test again again at such high-handedness?
granting the increase the commission to
great length quoting from the statutes pointing out the
required to hold hearing application of
approval of rates and not required publish
notice connection with hearing decide to hold
there statutory time fixed for giving notice
While according Section 1885, such contention
valid the beabors itself nightly in attempting
to Justify the "why'o it's dictatorial action.
The three members of the commission Messrs Casey,
Middleton not novice the art of rate approx
ing served long (too long, this board not to
know that public utility before it until it has its
completely deveoped that the standard procedure then
the company to insist must have immediate ama
tive action these three members for all OF their be-
cognzan of such matters time and again overrued every
motion continuance by the consumers that than few
might be had to opposition Again.
Casey held against the increase why then
didn't he forth the gallant champion of the consumers
with the other two commissioners to grant the
just and reasonable request of the consumers?