The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-03-26
extend PUBLIC POWER
By JEROME G. LOCKE, Helena
part VIII of a Series)


matter we read about DAMS power plants irri
CATION fish ponds what not in line of Western development
there is basic and motvang background that must be al
kept in find The Monopoly force and all its potica
water boys have grand of Take Over carry
In size and completely this stupendous program to
be accomplished IN many ways all leading to common end
These articles have already touched offshore Indian
reservations REA and minor items Now lets
probe Power Partnerships a little
There has been abundant publicity about administration
policy to take government out of business Some what
has been written about the invitation by Secretary
Interior Mckay for local interests to share develop
ment" Following these came power partnership
nouncement John Corette president of Montana Power
Company told of the joint plans of his Washing
Water Power Portland Electric
and Light and Mountain States Power more companies may
into the group later"
This combination need for power increase of $780,
900 100000 kowas per year prepared spend
SO million dollars per year for 20 years total of one billion
dollars to meet it. They will start with construction of Bruce
Eddy and Penny Cliff projects on Clearwater river in Columbia
Basin These sites have been staked estimated and made
ready by Corps of Army Engineers According to the
the Power Company Combine pay the costs
power development Federal pay
costs allotted to irrigation flood control navigation and
alton benefits Estimated of the first two dams 305 mil
lion dollars and construction is to start next year
The first package in the partnership deal looks like
may be gift wrapped The Federal has already
paid for engineering power be produced
qualities defense necessity that of cost subject to
heavy wrie-of for five years do not know what
rangemens will be- made relative these items
The real who what from the ALLEGATIONS
divided power irrigation, flood control
navigation and recreation
This estimating done according to rules of the
game that are subject to change Remember Missouri Basin
Electric Co-ops Cost ALLEGATIONS McNary dams have just
been materially changed protest of Northwest Public
Power Association RumOr has that irrigation cost ALLEGATIONS
Missouri Basin process of About the only
thing that the rules of the all
bookkeeping is in the hands of executives who undoubtedly
but in full sympathy with the partnership
idea In all this there considerable for exercise of udg
So don't know what the showing will be five or ten
years hence, but I reminded of little story.
UNCLE SAMMY'S HOTEL
sixty million stockholders owned building
that million dollars It's furniture and fixtures cost two
hundred thousand This property operated
ing hotel business by their Uncle Sammy and in competition
with other hotels by Mr. Getmor member of the National
Hotel Trust
Without consultation with stockholders and to stop creep
socialism, Uncle Sammy transferred the entire property
Mr. Getmore including working organization good will and
and leased the building for SO at dollar
This took the government of business and made
unnecessary further appropriations for operations
Mr. Gemore took and then raised all hotel rates by
which helped maintain prosperityfor the Ho
Some of Uncle Sammys stockholders
they began to dream of getting kind of Uncle Sammy
jail The of looked him
the only Uncle Sammy have and continue to hope that
enough political he will be consderate of
interests in the future. 0