The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1951-03-23

the tnLSTRdtAOAldA a OAiit OOAARAAAAo-
sion hearing in the State Capt.
toI Monday.
Having observed that Hungry
Horse power production has already
been taken up by various industries,
utilities and the Bonneville Power Adj
ministration, witness after witness
emphasized that a sizeable block of
power production at the $271 million
Libby dam must be reserved for flu
ture use in Montana.
Also repeatedly emphasized was the
necessity that the federal bureau of
the budget provide for grants in lieu
of taxes lost on Kootenai river bot
tom agricultural and timber
and that funds for enlargement of
school facilities, additional policing,
sanitation facilities, ETC., likewise be
considered as part of construction
costs.
A. 0. Stanley, chairman of U. S.
section of the commission, chaired
the hearing.
WITNESSES APPEARING
In addition to Gov. John w. Bon
ner who welcomed the commission
to Helena, other participants includ-
ed: Don Treloar, KGEZ, Kaispell;
Judge Left Erickson, Helena; At
torney General Arnold Olsen, Hell
ena; State Engineer Fred Buck, Hell
ena; J. H. Ridenour, West Glacier;
1t. Col. John P. Buehler and Sherm-
an Green, Seattle district army en-
gineers. Sen. W. w. Weydemeyer,
Lincoln county, although unable to
be present because, of illness, had
prepared statement presented to the
commission.
Gov. Bonner, in opening the meet
ing, emphasized the Importance of
assuring Montana of fair share of
the power produced, and stated that
unless provision was made for the
state .. Future generations may |
condemn US for giving away our most |
precious resource, our salvation,
water and power :"
WEYDEMEYER STRESSES EIGHT
POINTS
Writing in behalf of the residents
If Lincoln county, Sen. Weydemeyer
advised @. l do not hesitate to
state that the great majority of the
,esidents of Lincoln county will not
approve construction unless ap-
OF authorization acts pro-
riding for the planning, construction
l.. of the project include at least
most of the following provisions for
public sharing of indirect costs:''
1. Adequate annual payments to
eplace tax revenue lost to county and
tate governments.
2. Payments in lieu of taxes to
equal tax revenue from on-the-site
power installations and production
hat would result if project were
Under private ownership and opera
ion.
3. Replacement of highway and {
Dad facilities on basis of services
n-kind. including adequate roads on
Zach side of reservoir, etc. t
4. Connecting rail service to To-
,acco valley if mainline of Great {
Northern is removed from that area. t
5. Payment of costs of maintain {
ng ample school facilities during con- {
truction period. g
Z. Payment of necessary relief and '
Welfare costs for unemployed during j
lack periods in construction and for q
excess workers attracted to the area. q
}. Reimbursement for non-recover- a
bile costs of capital investment and t
within flowage area
made as a part of normal income
roviding operations at any time prior t
o government acquisition of the
and and property involved. f
Weydemeyer's eight points were in e
inc with the several raised under i
senate Joint Memorial sponsored r
Y him in the recent legislature, and t
yhich was given gubernatorial ap- o
roval February %. g
,UCK ASKS GUARANTEE OF p
RHINE POWER FOR STATE
State Engineer Buck, speaking as .