davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-03-25
Does E. j. Need A New
Set of Glasses?
Dear Editor:

| Dear Editor:
Can it be Mr.. E. J. Parkinson OF
Great Falls in his letter of March Ii
is looking at rural electric Operatives
through private utility spectacles?
The REA's are nonprofit associations
operated for a service not otherwise
available in most cases to the farmers
who own them. Where there is no profit
or excess income over costs there can
be no profit tax or income tax.
Rural electric co-operatives do not
operate for speculation; they operate
only for service to members. They are
closely regulated by state and federal
law and by the member users through
coop practices.
Rural electric co-operatives build
and maintain lines and facilities in
sparsely settled areas where costs are
unusually high and in order to meet
feasibility requirements of the federal
on loan applications must
shave costs to minimum; the present
assessment rate was an important fac
tor making rural identification pos
sible for many rural families. Any in
crease in costs through higher taxation,
higher power rates or higher interest
rates would jeopardize the solvency Of
many rural electric co-operatiyes be-
cause they must operate under extreme
ly eXacting conditions with no margins
as cushions
Mr.. Parkinson questions taxation of
REAs, but how about these advantages
for private electric utility corporations?
l. Profits practically guaranteed by
federal and state rate-fixing authori-
lies, a subsidy in effect and quite a
boon to any business.
2. Watered stock. on which rates are |
passed.
8. Fast tax write-offs.
4. Absorption of about half the tax
public power produced in
he nation and much of it at the low
lump rates not available to rural cleo
ric co-operatives.
s.. Market for power in city and urban
.reas where volume of income is high
nd stable and where per customer
osts are low compared to rural areas
erved by REAs.
6. Freedom lin Montana) to use
over valuation for taxing purposes
han for rate-making
Rural electric co-operatiyes belong
0 the farmers who as a group are
eayy taxpayers. Neither the farmer
or his REA can pass the tax on to
nyone as the private utilities are able
, do with many of their taxes.
Rural electrification has helped in
rease the property tax base by in
reasing the wealth in town and coun-
Y. This modern convenience in itself
as made land and improvements more
aluable. There are now many more
ectric appliances subject to assess
ent in farm homes. REA has strength
led the tax paying ability of farmers
nd rural businessmen. Respectfully
EONARD KENFIELD, Great Falls.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-03-25
Fringe Benefits

HARTFORD, Conn., (PAD-In-
mates at the Connecticut State Prison
may not be organized but they think
they are entitled to "cost of living"
pay increase-from Is to 25 cents a
day. They want better supply of
sugar, cigarettes, and other personal
items. After receiving a letter to this
effect from prisoner state legisla-
tor has sponsored bill for the in
crease. He's optimistic about it's
chances for passage.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-03-25

The mass hysteria, a hallucinatior
ABOUT Communists in the government
IN the schools, under the beds at night
the literature hidden in pumpkins, has
been more widespread than any similar
such wave in history
But the effects of the wave have not
been so severe as in other instances.
In Salem, Massachusetts, % poor old
women were burned at the stake as
witches. We have executed only two
the Rosenbergs. Such prominent per-
sons as DR.. Urey, DIR. Einstein, thought
them innocent. The Pope asked Presi-
dent Eisenhower to commute the SEN
fences. Jurists in England thought
them not guilty. Perhaps 80 have been
sent to Jail for contempt of Congress.
the courts, and for beliefs different
from ours. The judges have broken the
Constitution by demanding excessive
pail; lawyers have been disbarred for
earnest defense of their clients. We
are as foolish as our ancestors of Sa-
lem, but our cruelty is more refined.
When one considers the number of
paid informers, Matusow, Budenz,
Whitaker Chambers, Bentley, and
dozen other of that vile class, used by
United States attorneys, the way venires
are selected in federal courts, the sane
ton given the witchhunters by the
capitalists as % weapon to harm organ
lied labor, the low propaganda of the
odiiy press, the casualties are not SO
great as was to have been expected.
Even on the floor of the United States
Senate, lack of confidence has been
expressed in Mr.. Brownell and his
aides, his entire department. Matusow
revelations have gone all over the
world. The French and British press
seem to think worse of our federal |
legal department than the Senator who |
criticised it.
The honest intelIectuals will finally |
cure the masses of insanity. Just as |
under Jefferson, they repealed the /
Alien and Sedition Acts But with the I
press silent about the work of the /
same, and loud about witchhunters, the
period will be longer.
On February 28th at Ann Arbor Uni
yersity to an audience of 5000, Justice
Douglas of the United States Supreme
Court called for recognition of Red
China, and for a political solution of
he problems of Asia, giving Communist
china her seat in the United Nations,
rade with China; he said that to land
IN American army in China would be
he most disastrous thing we could do
Ann Arbor University is the center
# intelligence in the North Middle
vest. If the press publicized such
vents as Douglas speech there, it
would hasten the return of sanity. One
ause of delay is that many congress-
nen, though they know the mass is
are willing to ride back
nto office by pretending to be hysteri-
al themselves. The ridicule of the
oreign press is helping to cure us.
We viii get well again.-LOWNDES
TAURY, Butte.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-03-25

NEW YORK PAD-There's at
least one sphere in which the U. s..
and Soviet Union can co-exist without
much dispute-vodka and "wiski. !"
Whiskey sales are reported up in
Russia and vodka is up 20.4 per cent
here. Of course, Russians make their
own "wiski" and vodka is made here,
with the Russian labels initiated as
closely as possible.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-03-25
Shift Differential

LONDON (PAD The British
Trades Union Congress has now ac-
cepted into affiliation the Association
of Football Players and Trainers
Union. When football players finally
get organized in the United States
sports writer's who know think that
college players. should be admitted
to membership in addition to the pro-
fessionals. After all, subsidized col
lege athletics are probably still
underpaid.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-03-25
EVacuafor

WASHINGTON, D. C.-(PAD-
When Sen George Malone (R-Nev.)
speaks on the Senate floor, his col
leagues remember they have business
elsewhere. All this has led to the sug-
gestions that the senator from Nevada
be named Federal Civil Defense adj
ministrator because he can evacu-
ate a place faster than any man
known
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-03-25
Accent On States

The names of some states are
projected in other states. For exam
pie, New York has town named Ala
bama, Pennsylvania has an Indiana,
and Louisville an Arizona. Five states
have California, three an Ohio, and
seven a Wyoming. There is a Texas
in Kentucky and Tennessee in Hi
nois, says the National Geographic
Society.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-03-25
The Readers Forum

LETTERS: No letter over $50
words will be accepted for publica-
ton. All letters must be signed by
writer, although, on request, name
will be withheld.-P.V Editor.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-03-25
DAY HOLIDAY

GLOVERSVILLE, N. Y.-When a
seventh paid holiday was added by
clothing workers local 1712 at the
glove plant of Filmer Leather, Inc,
it was election day. They have SIG
a week sick leave up to four weeks,
$1,000 disability benefit, $1,000 life
insurance, and hospital and medical
insurance.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-03-25

1t is estimated that 152,100,000
man-days are lost yearly because of
diseases of the circulation, reports
your Heart Foundation, sponsor of
the 1866 Heart Fund.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-03-25
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
BY GRETCHEN G. BILLINGS

Last week Fred Martin resigned
from his position as executive secre'
tary to Governor Aronson. 1t was 9
surprise even in the Capitol building.
Aronson. and Martin were out of
town Immediately following the an
nouncement so speculation ran RAM
pant.
| don't think it is any secret there
has been friction in the Governors
official family, and the exact reasons
for it not being clear this fact has
been used in the speculation about
the resignation.
Martin has said a number of times
that it was not his intention to stay
in the Governors office. He has been
considering the resignation for some
time.
Martin has been the brunt of many
attacks by disgruntled Republican
elements. l believe the attacks kept
him on the JOB as long as this. 1t is
human nature not to resign under
fire.
At any rate there will very prob
ably be quite change in the strategy
in the northeast corner of the Capitol
when Martin leaves. Some people
feel the change is already in process
eminent leaders, 1870; all three, SO;
and no opinion, 1870.
According to the Chamber of Com
merce, such answers can result only
from misconceptions" says Elec-
trio Light and Power magazine.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-05-27
TUT, TUT, GENERAL!

Retired Marine General Holland M (Howln MadO Smith
the right to vote should be taken from of Amer
who menacing of life, by demanding from
the government security instead of opportunity
We don't know whether the general exercised the
sacred right but maybe should be taken from
him. he has sought and enjoyed far security
than most other folks.
professional military officer for than 40
always we'll fed clothed and housed the
mens He and his family got free med
hospital dental and other things which
called socialism for except military His
and anything be this
imperfect world He retired with pension of
$4,000 year, the of which he did
tribute red
General Smith should be of the last to criticize other
people for seeking security but apparently he has been read
ing the propaganda Committee Constitutional Gov
That rich mems organization has been demanding
right vote be taken from people.-LABOR
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-05-27
TAX WRITE-OFFS
WOULD PAY FOR
9 HELLS CANYONS

Private utilities will receive enough
in accelerated tax deductions within
the next few years to pay for SO
Dixon Yates plants Or nine Hells
Canyon Dams.
DR.. Clay L. Cochran of the Electric
Consumers Information Committee
in Washington, d. c., computed the
value of tax amortization certificates
expected to be issued to private utili-
ties under plan announced April Is
by the Office of Defense Mobiliza-
ton. The purpose of this is to stim-
ulate defense" construction.
Under the ODM plan, utilities are
receiving certificates permitting them
to deduct from their tax bills in five
years as much of the cost of new
facilities as they normally would de-
duct in 20 years. Cochran estimated
they will be given tax reduction GER
tificates totaling 1872 billion.
They already have received $2.8
billion in such certificates, bringing
the total for which they will become
eligible in the 1950-1961 decade to
SCI billion. This is more than the
total of the federal power program
from it's beginning plus the loans to
all the nations rural electric cooper
COOPERATIVE CON-
SUMER.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-05-27
Rate EXPERT LEAVES
MONTANA

John C. Ihnet, leader in the
movement to obtain more equitable
freight rates in Montana for business
and agricultural shippers, has re-
signed as secretary of the Montana
Citizens Freight Rate Association.
He has taken a job as general mana
ger of the American Transit Lines
at Hammond. Indiana.
A recognized authority on trans
early in 1862 from Waterton, South
Dakota, where he had been traffic
commissioner for the city and the
Chamber of Commerce. In Montana
he first worked for the Transporta-
ton Bureau of the Great Falls Cham
Der of Commerce and later became
secretary of the Montana Citizens
group.
Largely through the efforts of Ihnet
who has a profound knowledge of
freight schedules business groups OBJ
tanned thousands of dollars in trans
portation benefits. Farmers and con-
sumers generally in the state have
been saved millions of dollars through
successful legal actions taken by the
Montana Citizens Freight Rate Assn.
whose efforts has been strengthened
by the work of the freight rate ex-
pert
The Chamber of Commerce man
worked closely with the Farmers I'm
ion on transportation matters-M FU
NEWS.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-05-27
LEWIS & CLARK DEMO
WOMEN OPEN ACTIVITY
FOR 1856 CAMPAIGN

AS a first step toward what is
hoped will be successful Democratic
campaign in Lewis & Clark county
next year, the women's branch of
the county Democratic party reor-
ganized at meeting Monday night.
Mrs. 10 Thiele, longtime party
worker, was elected president of the
county organization.
Other officers of the reactivated
political group are Mrs. lola Mahan,
Helena, vice president; Mrs. Eleanore
Smole, East Helena, treasurer; and
Mrs. Betty Small, Helena, secretary.
State Superintendent of Public In
struction Mary M. Condor, Mrs.
Portia White, Mrs. 10 Thiele and
Mrs. Betty Small will represent the
Lewis and Clark group at the state
meeting of the Democratic Women's
Clubs in Great Falls, June 1913.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-05-27

NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE UNIVERSITY, BUT :.
James L. c. Ford

Dr. c. Ford who headed the School of Journal
the university from 1912 through 1854 until forced
regnng his deanshp by President Carl Mcfarland has
been awarded a Fullbright LectureShip Europe
The Fullbrgh award the 1856 academic year
will involve lectures by Dr. Ford in American journalism its
history and relation society," before graduate
the Institute of Social Sciences in Hesnki, Finland.
Jim Ford during the II years he headed up MSU school,
of Journalism brought national recognition to the university
for the excellence of training impaired to young and
entering the profession.
President Mcfarland has publicly explained why
he forced Fords resignation what motivaed his pulling
sleghtohan which resulted the Board of
cation accepting Ford reduction to professional status with
out the board realizing the action had taken until sometime
later when the entire matter aired VOICE editorial
columns.
Whatever the undsclosed for jim Fords demoon
decision accept Fubrght MSU
definitely loss to the professional staff at the university
We wish him well his forthcoming sojourn Finland and
certain that when the 195556 academic completed
Ford will for excellent position major
American institution of higher learning.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-05-27

Payments under the National Woo
Act Program in operation for the frs
time this year may be assigned tt
banks trust companies, or other Fed
eral lending agencies as well as tt
marketing agencies according to Leo
S. Kolstad, Montana State Agricultur
al Sterilization and Conservation adj
ministrative officer. The 1866 pro
gram, he explains, is designed tc
bring the average return for wool to
growers to 81 cents per pound, with
the payment based on uniform per-
centage of what the grower receives
for his wool. Payments also will be
made for the 1866 clip of mohair and
for wool on lambs and yearlings sold
for slaughter.
In making assignments, Kolstad
between the wool grower and the
lending or advancing agency on the
following points:
/. The entire payments due the pro-
Queer for the marketing year must
be covered by the assignment.
2. Only one assignment may be
made for any one programs orn
wool, lambs and yearlings, or mohair.
The assignment will cover only
the payments on sales made during
the marketing year specified in the
assignment.
a. An assignment can be given only
as security for cash advanced or to
be advanced.
5. If the assignment is to market
ing agency, the agency must show the
estimated increase in the amount of
the advance as a result of the assign
ment. No part of the payment is to
be applied toward payment of adj
vances made in previous years.
6. The producer must indicate
whether the draft is to be made out
to the assignee, or to both the grower
and the assignee. All drafts will be
mailed to the assignee.
7. The assignee will make full ac-
counting and remit any balance due
the grower within so days after re-
ceipt of the payment.
Forms for making assignments and
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-05-27
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
By GRETCHEN G. BILLINGS

The Montana Supreme Court
turned down the Liberty National
Insurance Company when they petit
toned for a new hearing on the Rath-
bun case after Justice Angstman
wrote a decision that said Rathbun's
widow was entitled to compensation
after her husband died of heart
attack at the wheel of his transport
truck.
| A couple of weeks ago they turned
down the Montana Power Gas Com
pany and Telephone Company when
they asked for re-hearing of the
rate increase case, too, In which JUS
tice Angstman had written decision
which said the Attorney General did
have right to appear for the people
of the state to defend them against
exorbitant rate increases in tele-
phone and gas rates. That case will
now go to the district court and in
time might be heard on the merits.
But you can rest assured the MP
Gas Company and the Telephone
Company will probably try and delay
hearing it on the merits as long as
possible.
How do the oil companies who are
hollering so loud about the state
losing money on school lands, on the
grounds of delay, reconcile their I'M
happiness with the fact they changed
the law at the last legislature so
they won't have to drill for, six years
instead of two years and there is
no way the land board can insist on
it?
The same major oil companies that
are shaking their fists and frothing
at the mouth over Arnold Olsen's
attempts to get more oil money for
the schools of Montana are giving
500 royalty on oil. 1t is
to remember about oil that
royalty comes after well is produc-
ing. Neither the oil company nor the |
state get any money until after oil |
comes out of the ground. That is why
royalty is so important to the schools.
Venezuela makes million dollars
4 day on their oil. Wow
Sunday afternoon Leon and | went
'or ride to Canyon Ferry Dam. We
lad heard so much about it, and had
already eaten some of the amazing
'ish being taken out of the lake so
t seemed nice idea to take it in.
Canyon Ferry is government
project. 1t belongs to you and me,
md yet much as | favor this sort
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-05-27
House, Senate Agree
On UN Technical Aid

WASHINGTON, d. C.-(CNS)-
Senate and House conferees agreed
on $6H million for United Nations
technical aid, April 20. These funds
will help finance UN health, farm,
and education projects the first half
of this year. The House voted 81
million; the Senate, So million. The
President had requested So million.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-05-27
Oil, Gas, Power Trust
ADVERTISING
CAMPAIGN IS
NATION wide

Both the House and Senate Inter
state Commerce committees have re-
Gently held hearings on bills which
in varying degree, would exempt
natural gas producing companies
from regulation by the Federal Pow
er Commission. These bills put the
Eisenhower Administration in a diff
ficult political dilemma, for two rea-
sons:
First, magnates in the closely al
lied oil and natural gas industries
have poured huge sums into Repub-
lican election campaigns and are
counted upon to do so again this
year.
On the other hand, numerous gov
errors and mayors, many of them
Republicans, have told the President
that the proposed exemption from
regulation would cost gas consumers
in their states and cities hundreds
of millions of dollars. The consumers
know that, and they have votes.
This natural gas dispute is an old
one, but it took new turn several
years ago when the Supreme Court
ruled that the FPC has authority to
regulate the prices charged by the
producers and gatherers. The big
gas-oil companies then asked Con-
gress to overrule the top court, by
passing law forbidding such regu-
lation.
The House committee has, by
a vote of II to d, Tentatively APP
proved compromise bill which does
not go far enough to suit the gas
but would give far from full
protection to consumers.
A different and stronger bill was
put before the Senate committee by
Senator Paul HI. Douglas (D-IH),
Who has long been a leader on the
side. He said his bill
would exempt the "truly little fellow
but would ''leave under
ederal regulation" the big producers
Who "sell 90 per cent of the gas to
Interstate pipelines
HTS "CoMPETITIoN' CLAIM
Meanwhile, lavishly-financed
atural gas propaganda organization
ontinued to publish newspaper adj
ertisements telling consumers they
hould depend on competition" to
old gas prices down. That claim was
it hard by Senator Pat Mcnamara
D-Mich. j..
He said there has not been and
will not be any competition in
natural gas, because "you can't
move a pipeline around like rub
Der hose. Once the pipeline has tied
in with particular producer, it is
cheaper to pay his price increases
than to move the pipeline. Anyway,
the price increase can be passed
along to the consumer.
TsThey claim that coal and oil COM
etition holds down the price of gas" {
-cNamara pointed out. "But would
Oh take out your gas stove or fur 5
ace if the producers price goes up {
D per cent per thousand cubic feet?
eft even that small increase would !
,st the gas consumers of Michigan, {
one, nearly sly million year" ]
Regardless of what kind of bill c
ongress passes, the natural gas
onopolists have little to fear from +
lie FPC, which has been packed" t
it'll friends of the Cas-. Oil and b
over Trusts.-LABOR.
WaaEu~ n a. NH nEuuA
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-05-27
UN GROUP STUDIES POWER
CO-OPS FOR ASIA FARMS

GENEVA - (CNS) - United Ma
tons Commission for Asia is study
ing how co-ops can help get electricity
to farm people at rates they can af-
ford to pay.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-05-27
WOOL PAYMENTS MAY BE ASSIGNED TO BANKS

further details of program operations
are available at the county Agricul-
tural Sterilization and Conservation
office.