The people's voice., 1957-06-07

BY LEVERNE HAMILTON Thompson Falls
With the present long-fought and bitter struggle
over the Hells Canyon Dam and the possibility that
similar battle may have to be waged the construc
ton of the Paradise Dam it is highly advisable that
give consideration to the arguments which the
proponents of private public power are and will
continue putting forth and the facts pro and con so
that we may pass an unbiased judgment on the eco
nomc questions now before and which will affect
the economy for many years to come
To arrive at an accurate and unbiased decision we
must consider all the arguments put forth by both
sides of the controversy choose which are correct and
which faacous and thereby arrive at the correct
solution so let us begin
Probably the principal "stock in trade" argument
of the proponents of private power (and the simplest
refute) is the statement that the private power
companies pay large to counties and muni-
cipalities.
THE FACT: Private power companies pay no taxes
whatever, they simply collect them The consumer
is the who pays Every time consumer of light
power pays his bill to the private power company
he is contributing portion of the taxes which they
eventually get credit for paying simply because it is
the Power Companys check which makes its appear
in the county city treasurers office and
his records
Another argument put forth by opponents of
Public Power Government operation is that
go to pay for these government dams.
This is distinctly faacious Construction Gimme
date construction that is) is taken of by long
term bonds which paid off from and by the reve-
from the sale of the power
But even if that statement factual the logic
would still be unsound for as said recently to
who used this argument Suppose your taxes your
money did pay the of construction of
built dams, your money a consumer also paid the
cost of the privately constructed dams and after
they paid for you still continue paying and you
the plants Why not then, pay for the gov
ernment construction and your share in it? But
he replied 81 not the government" If So that is
your own fault We have what purports to be democ
raey in which voter has the privilege of voicng
his sentiment and choice of public servants and if he
is to ndoen apathetic to do give thoughtful
to his selection where lies the blame?
Another (and to many a rather meaningless
ment) is that government operation is Creeping
Socialism.
This argument is palpably little more than smoke
thrown up to obscure the facts and is hardly
worthy of argument in opposition for if the truth is
known about eighty per cent of American citizens
do not know what socialism really is and many who
think they know and will attempt to define socialism
will give definition which they have accepted from
else and often from who knows
less than they themselves The general public
idea of socialism is extremely vague and the term
is used simply to frighten uncertain public. The
important thing for to consider is whether not
government operation is advantageous econon-
cally and socially than private operation and if logic
and the facts show that it is then want it regard
less of by what name it may be called.
Now a important question. Can pub
lie operation government municipal) be
fuI mcalIy and socialIy2