The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1953-05-22

A strong appeal for restoration o
Interior Department funds to kee
construction of Montana power an
reclamation projects on schedule an
to start construction of Yellowtai
Dam has been made by Senator Jane
E. Murray in an appearance befor
the appropriations subcommittee OF
the Interior Department budget.
Senator Murray urged that con
struction of electric power general
ing and transmission facilities in al
parts of the nation be speeded tt
prevent a power dim-out, or even {
black-out.
eve need to develop electric gen.
Grating capacity, and facilities to
transmit greatly increased amounts
of electric power, in all areas of the
nation" Murray said. I'm spite of
the combined efforts of both private
industry and the government, we
have had recent power shortages in
the Northwest and we confront SER
ious shortages in other great regions
and in the nation unless expansion
SOSS OlI at al dCOSlCIdISQ IdIG.
Murray quoted the 1852 report of
the Presidents Materials Policy COM
mission recommending chat the ma
TONS hydroelectric potential be de-
veloped as fully and as rapidly as
economically feasible"
He directed attention to the fact
that we are falling behind generat-
ing capacity goals established by
the Defense Electric Power Ad-
ministration. eve were promised
an addition of 100000 kilo-
watt capacity in 1852 and got only
100000. This year there is a
goal of more than 100000 kilo-
watt capacity, but there seems lit
tie likelihood that we will reach
the goal" the Senator told the APP
preparations subcommittee.
II am proponent of public pow
er programs" he said. 81 believe !
that the maintenance of government
yardstick operations is essential to |
assure low rates; that they have |
proved an incentive to the private |
utilities to provide more abundant |
power at lower costs, and that the |
yardsticks have thereby improved the |
situation of the private companies
themselves. But, regardless of that |
dispute, there is pressing national
need for more adequate generating
and transmission facilities, and either
cutbacks or slow-downs in construc-
ton programs would be unwise. There
is still need for power for 100000
tons of aluminium capacity to reach
minimum aluminium defense goals,
for example.
Il am aware of the pressure for
economy. But certainly it is not econ
Omy to halt investment in self-liuui-
1ating, productive plants which are
needed to keep our great ma
ion strong in terms of maximum pro-
1uctive capacity, and economically
healthy.
''With the Russian threat not less
'ned but stronger, we need to pur-
ue policies, including energy poll !
les, which will make sure of our
Utility to meet even the heaviest de- I
ense needs any emergency might put II.
Ipon US"
Murray asked the subcommit- \
tee to include an appropriation for
the Yellowtail-Billings lis XIV
line and substation and i
at least 100000 to start Yellow :
tail Dam. The latter was not in
cluded in the budget. ''The DAM"
the Senator testified, will pay for Il
itself and net the government more b
than $4O,O0O,000 at the end of t.
50-year period" Il
Senator Murray urged retention p
of appropriations to complete g
Hungry Horse and Canyon Ferry y
projects, an item of $673,OOO for II
the Grow Creek pumping unit, and W
$3.50, 600 to complete the distribu-
ton facilities at Fort Peck. He a.
urged restoration of the appropria- o.
lion for the Lower Mar;.s ;x.; m