The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1960-01-15
Editorial
"The DeviI'In Trouble
The Devil A Saint Would Be"

Montana Power Company past week availed itself
of considerable free in the of the state to
its tender for the financial stability of the various
counties
it's halo plainly showing, the utility tells the general
public how waived claims to $82O188 in tax
paid protest between 1855 and 1858 Sayeth MPCos
press release Had pressed and claims for return
of the tax paid under protest the resultant loss
of would have had serious effect the Our
desire to help the counties maintain their financial stability
certainly must be evident from decision to waive these
claims and let the counties have that money =.
Except banyard which censored from respect
able journals particularly they the u S. mails
medium for dispatch words fail in expressing opinion
Of the above malarky.
Before starting into what may or may be lengthy
sertation permit congratulate nmbleworded sbes
who thought the above quotation in this latest effort to
convince the Montana public that Montana Power human has
blood in it's veins and really but really has conscience and
public bleeding heart
off, isn't giving the red
With number of their tax protest suits pending
of which might might not have resulted
1873 rebate to the deal entered into with the
Board of Equalization 1t first light last April Is
meeting the State Capitol and followed the famous
substantial dollars
and cents tax reductions
(The Fenton decision by of recollection the
used by the State Board for it's hasy action IN
assessed valuations of railroads. telephones and electric
utilities by approximately $25 million in 1859 Thanks
utilities Thanks that to the State Board jumping on the
vehicle provided by the pipeline declsionand while the
Boards appeal to the Supreme Court yet to be heard
Montana Power received assessed valuation cut of about
onehird of the total So million For further Details see
Board Backs Away From +, -, D.. esfe--
that April meeng-and contrary what State Board
Chairman w j. Winters testified at Sundays Montana Legs
atve Council subcommittee meetng-the State Board pre-
sened veear valuation reduction to
the regulated industries In return under the Boards
proposition the utility and rail representatives asked to
drop all tax protest suits then pending.
Montana Power and most of the others accepted the Board
proposition In return the Board in the first of the five
period it's drive for what it terms Equalization cut
MPCo assessed ntercouny valuation by So cent That
SO cent first cut figures out at little less than $780,
900 year for the uttya tax cut which local tax
payers having make higher leves property
Thus be that Montana Power waived its right
to through the courts the suits to the
the points benevolent dispensaton by the
utility brought about solely by it's desire help the counties
maintain their financial stability assnH
The State Boards action, coupled with Montana Power
getting the largest share of the pie resulted in consider
able criticism of the In light of that really can't
blame the company for its attempt perpetrate hoaxand
those of who have read this far know beyond
able doubt that the company release nothing
than hoax Mount your hosse Light the lanterns and
spread the word that all of the czenry be correctly
formed-H. L. paul Revere) BILLINGS. h
Fortunately, He ISN'T Secretary Of State aoe