The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1956-02-10
Editorial
Murray, Mansfield, In Strange Company :.
ON GAS GIvEAMAY

VaW Ssf1V GAE E9FaE
The of Murray Mansfield Harris
Fulbrgh natural BILL although not unexpected did come
somewhat of shock in of both having Ions
trumpeed their for the ordinary American citizen
Particularly are surprised Murray
have voted for bill which, in final analysis another give
away measure closely akn to the tideands oil grab per
perated by the major oil Congress
signed law by President Eisenhower understandable
that Senators from Texas Oklahoma and Arkansas should
find expedent push legislation desired by major oil and
interests 1t is unfogveabe that Senators from Montana
should favor the ootng of gas pocketbooks the
tune of several hundred million dollars year additional
charges for natural gas
Mansfield has issued lengthy statement explain
ing his vote for the natural giveaway He might just
we'll have his breath His statement that the rate
granted by Public
fcient for voting against the bill Oil
WELD altogether much control state
regulatory commissions already and the people need more not
less help from federal agencies such Federal Power Com
mission to justice from monopoly public utilities
Further this Editor cannot along with Senator Mans
preciaby affected by enactment of the Harris Fubrght bill
Nationwide wehead prices will up result OF free
ing gas producers wehead gas prices
will be cited time and again by distributing monopoes
operating in Montana valid for being granted higher
rate schedules in the future The utilities will weep for the
producer and the below the national price they
pay producers because of alegedy inadequate retail
rates their product even though Montana Power IN par
tcuar produces practically all of its from its wes
Past experience has shown that the Montana Public Service
Commission easily convinced by evdence presented by
the utilities in support of higher rates
Murray this time, has said nothing for his
part this gveaway He busy preparing his oppO
son Senate confirmation of Wesley A DEwart the basis
DEWartS gveaWay" record Testimony will doubt be
that will show DEwart unfit to be in the responsible
position of administering (and dpensing) federal
Senator! Senator!
Regardless of all proteations that the will be
protected under the HarFubright BILL that nsipid public
commissions will permit them to be robbed the fact
remains they (he consumers will not be adequately
If this latter contention Of not why then all
tremendous pressure to passage Of the bill?
Senator Wayne D-Ore.) in speaking against the
bill January pointed regulation of the industry
gas producers only all of their operating
COSTS exploration additional gas
serves all their welIdrng whether the holes
drilled to be dry productive wells and in addition
all their investment including investment in
serves sufficient attract capital into of the
business.
"Bu fair return, be it six cent for
ducng properties enough for these giant oil and
producers, Morse continued. "They used to the
profits they from unreguaed monopoly the field of
oil and gasoline, which they maintain by control of
production Oil Compact Commission and
the Hot Oil Act.'
also point out that the oil industry unlike
other industry further healthy incentive by being
permitted "to make 27 cent depletion allowance IN
calculating their federal income tax returns This addition
being guaranteed eight cent net return their
investment being assured of rates high enough to
all operating COSTS the sinking of dry holes, depletion
of gas reserves, etc.
HarsFubright bill, all propaganda to the contrary
wthstanding, is to protect the little indie
gas PRODUCER This made abundanty clear
debate when shown that 1877 producers
per of all the natural pped into
interstate And of this 1877 producers ~ twenty
the largest ogas companies supply than SO
1foI1 +1ro1ro nod N 10