Show i Power Rate Reductions Inevitable Expert Ys Sl Opposes Municipal Plants If 2 4 j. j d s S i S i L Jeorge Otis Utis Smita n Continual lowering of Producing Producing Pro Pro- Costs to Bring Further Slashes Reduction in power rates rales to the I consuming pUblic is foreseen by George Otis Smith former chairman of the federal power commission and former director of the United States geological survey who arrived in Salt Lake City FrIda Friday The cost of electric power to consumers con con- sumers sumer has been going downward and further rate ns are inevitable because of the continually reducing production costs he declared In answer to the question of whether er the federal government is going into the hydroelectric power power business extensively he said The federal government already has a hydroelectric power development develop develop- ment program that is as vast as any any- ContInued on Pare Two POWER RATE CUTS FORESEEN Further Reductions Visiting Expert Declares Continued from Pace One one ask My fundamental criticism cism of It program Is that it seems to be the idea of supply to create demand This is whon un- un because the present general of electrIcity is tar in excess of the demand I have learned supply is not needed in the and copper Indus Indus- try md I pave no reas n believe there is a need electricity he asserted In many ot the tant regions of the country hydro cl power active competition from two or three of In Utah Jt is natural gas and cheap coal H you gave electricity away you wouldn't get the whole market Municipal Power 1 have not been sympathetic with the of municipal power plants he red My attitude on this program held up my con as chairman of the federal power commission I believe in strict regulation by bythe the state and federal governments If 1 could e show power plants could be operated as as most privately owned plants first ot all lor the good I would favor them Do not forget that when you pay 1 to the light and power an average of 12 cents goes to local and other governments as taxes I cant can't think ot any municipal mu- mu plant that pays taxes and haven't yet seen anything to give me confidence in the ownership idea I would however favor mu owned coming under the same state regulation as privately owned ones Mr Smiths Smith's remedy lor the present troubles of our national fInances is isto to them where they not be to the continuous tinkering tinker tinker- ing of demagogues Give us a sound currency based upon our precious metals recognized by aU nations Which iU ver he said As a member of the students relation rela- rela tion committee ot the American rut rut- tute ot Mining and En- En Mr Smith is on an Inspection tour of western colleges and Engineers he said in addressing students ot the University of Utah engineering school Friday Ire ent from other people in that they are traIned to face facts Alter they have found the facts they must ace them no matter hoW disagreeable He said the general attitude ot the engineer is to look forward and urged them to make an out of He address the University of Utah students students' society oi the A. A I. I M r. r E. E Friday at ml at the university He visited minin men hl the and be a lunch on guest of the committee ot the chamber of com commerce merce Saturday |