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Show STANDARD JUNE 2. 1975 MFS explains need to raise costs to PSC 'Mountain Fuel Supply Company dislikes having to ask for a rate increase, but the pressures of increased costs make it necessary. In fact, without an increase now, costs will eventually be much higher." This was the thrust of testimony presented by various witnesses last week as the company presented its case for general rate increase at a public hearing conducted by the Utah Public Service Commission. The company is seeking an annual increase in its Utah rates of about SI3.5 million, which represnets the Utah portion of an overall deficiency in its rates of SIS. 3 million. If approved an allocated uniformally to all users, the increase will amount to about S cents per day to average residential customer. This is the first general increase the company has sought since a 1972 request was granted in March 1974. B. Z. Kastler. president and chief executive officer of Mountain Fuel, was the lead off wit ness. "We are not happy that the com or gas to our consumers has risen so rapidl he said. "This rapid inflationary trend has essentially been beyond our control." A utility, such as Montain Fuel, is especially hard hit by inflation because it is a regulated business. Mountain Fuel connot hope to recieve relief from inflationary spiral. Mountain Fuel is among the very last to receive relief form inflation. Kastler said the company is doing a good job at keeping controllable costs down, well below the inflationary rate of the general economy. This speaks well of the concerned management and supervisory personnel of Mountain Fuel." he said. "Our rates themselves are probably the best indicator of our success in controlling costs," he said. "The average price paid by our residential and domestic customers is still lowest prices paid for natural gas service in the nation." He told the commission that in New Jersey and Virginia, regulatory authorities have approved wholesale purchases of gas "at rates from three to five times higher than the average retail rate at which Mountain Fuel gas to domestic users." He told the commission that the average price of natural gas sold by Mountain Fuel to the average customer has increased only 52 percent over what it was in 1939. while the cost of living has increased 155 and average wages paid to workers in Utah has increased 525 percent since 1939. If the Commission approves the rate requested at this hearing, and spreads the increase among rate classes on the same basis as other recent dccesions. the average charge for natural gas will be only about 69 percent more than 1939. "Inflation has had as awesome impact on the prices we pay for services and The price of supplies," Kastler said. in some items has doubled and the past few years.' "Government plays an improtant role in the increased exists we must pay. Increases in postage rates alone will cost the company several hundred thousand dollars annually. In addition, a host of laws regulating environmental new impact, public and employee safety, and rcqulatory report requirements federal tax changes have increased our operating costs significantly. Another problem is that of continued We dare not supply. Kastler said. release any of the supply we currently have since once released, it is gone forever. While prices Have risen to a point that they are recognized by all as a huidcn. it is belter to struggle somewhat with the burden now than wonder in the very near future what we can do to warm our homes. "I am extremely concerned about some proposals now before congress to allocate available gas supplies and their potential impact upon our consumers. Though we have endeavored and succeeded in maintaining a favorable gas supply picture, that scene could change rapidly through a national gas allocation program that takes supplies from the prudent to give to the imprudent." Mr. Kastler concluded on a note of caution about the possibility of further rate increases in the future caused by inflation as well as by government. "It is only fair that wc make our consumers aware that the inflation is not yet coming to an end, he said. "Upward price pressures will continue, particularly as governmental intitics make decisions which either encourage the waste of our valuable resources of natural gas or take other action which discourages exploration for new supplies. percent Special Sale at Turners Regular Building Supply Prin Storms cause power outage i On Tuesday, May 20, when mow storm moved into the area, it caused trees to bend into a transmission line, breaking it, and causing an outage in the Duchesne, Tabiona, Altamont, Talmage and South Mytdn areas. Power was restored to all areas as soon as the crews isolated the section of line that was down. Another outage occurred in the same area on May 28 when a storm moving into the area with strong winds took a transmission line down between Ioka and Bluebell. The line had been weakened by fire which occurred underneath the line. This fire had been started by a person burning weeds. Power was restored as far west as Altamont within thirty minutes by transfer of the load to Vernal; however, the line had to be repaired r L Heavy Steel 6 ft. Posts Baling Wire $540.00 Cattle Chutes $280.00 Field Fence 39 in. $68.50 Calf Tables $1.95 $26.00 $495.00 $250.00 $49.50 20 discount on top line paints Specials on Lumber & Hardware Farm gas and diesel tanks in stock Get first line merchandise at bargain prices Turner Building Supply Roosevelt before Talmage, Duchesne and Tabiona areas could be restored to power. Moon Lake officials stated that construction would start within the next two weeks on a 138,000 volt line from the Upalco Substation in Ioka to the Duchesne Substation on Blue Bench. When this line is complete, some time this fall, outages similar to those occurring the past ten daya can be avoided because there will be two-wafeed into the Duchesne area. Company officials also advised the public that outages and considerable costs are being experienced because of people shooting insulators and because of uncontrolled fires underneath the lines. Such actions are not only costly to the company, but can be hazardous to the people involved. y All libraries in Utah will soon receive new copies of Fishes of Utah" as a result of a cooperative effort by the Division of Wildlife Resources and the State Library Commission. The popular book, written by Dr. William Sigler of Utah State University and Robert R. Miller of the University of Michigan and published for the Division, is an excellent reference for learning about Utah's fish. Some 850 public, school and university libraries and the state library bookmobiles serving 22 counties will receive fresh copies for use by students and the public in generaL The habitat, range, description, living habits and management of each species are told in an style. Any technical terms used are defined. The book features keys to the species and many color plates, making it an excellent field guide. Persons wishing to purchase the book may do so at Division Offices. Hardback copies are $3, while paperbacks cost 2. Oct. 1 Elk Opener Wednesday. October 1, has been recommended as the opening date for 1975s open bull elk hunt by a special committee appointed by the Board of Big flame Control. The Board in 1973, appointed the three-ma- n committee, comprised of one woolgrower, one cattleman and one sportsman, noting it would follow the committee's unanimous recommendation. The committee made an effort to find aT date suitable to all factions and this year agreed on October 1. The Division of Wildlife Resources, Bureau of Land Management and U. S. Forest Service each had one represena-tivmeeting with the committee in an advisory capacity. Division Big Game Supervisor Rodney John said the midweek opener was decided upon after studying similar season schedules in other states. Washington State was particularly a guidline, as they have had a Monday opening the last four years," said John. A survey of that state's elk hunters after those four years indicates that hunters prefer the weekday opening by a margin of over two to one. Sixty-fou- r percent were in favor of the weekday, while only 31 percent preferred the Saturday opening. Five percent had no preference." That state's Game Department is the Monday openers recommending continue. Utah's committee members pointed out that some hunters will probably be dissatisfied with the midweek opener, particularly the first two years." Reaction to the nonweekend opening in Washington was negative the first two years when elk hunters declined by 18,000. However, more hunters than ever are now participating in that state's elk hunts. Committee members recommended the opener remain on the Wednesday nearest October 1 for at least three years so an accurate assessment of sportsmen's reaction can be made. The Board will make the final on that ruling recommendation June 28 at their executive meeting. Special hunts will also be set on that date. The committee would like to see the season established well ahead of time, just as the deer opener is, to accommodate hunters planning their vacations," said John. Additionally, hunters have expressed some concern with the hunter pressure of past years' opening weekends. The midweek opening is expected to better distribute that pressure over the whole season. The Board is asking that hunters give the new idea a try. In the past, livestock men have been opposed to openings prior to October 1 as cattle in some areas are still on the higher ranges, while sportsmen have preferred an earlier September hunt when bull elk are bugling. This year's opener and the recommendation for future openers is, then, a compromise by those two groups. For many passerines and mourning doves. May was the wrong time to leave warmer climes in the south for Utah. A rash of winter;like storms caught the birds off guard, and thousands perished. A particularly hard-hi- t area was the central and southern portion of the state, where mourning doves and smaller birds headed for the highway, apparently to keep out of the deep snow blanketing the ares. Hundreds were hit by motorists who couldn't avoid them. A witness said, "As soon as the birds were hit, meadowlarks would grab them up; and they, in turn, were hit and grabbed up by magpies and crows. It wasn't a very pretty sight." Meadowlarks don't usually feed on birds, but hunger apparently drove them to take advantage of the ill fate of the other'birds. The combination of cold weather and lack of feed also sealed the fate of other birds not sitting on the highway. Dali Winn, Division of Wildlife Obituaries xy Opal Mae Sadler, 67, died May 25, in in Illinois. Funeral services and burial were in Anna Illinois. Tommy Sowsonicut Funeral services for Tommy Sowsonicut, 62. of Whiterocka who died May 24, of injuries suffered in an automobile accident near Vernal, were held in the Whilerocks Episcopal Church. He was bom August 14, 1912, in Whilerocks to Clara W. and Pete Sowsonicut. He married Geanne Johnson, she died in 1961. He was a bus driver for Head Start and Ute Tribe spiritual leader. Survivors: sons, daughters, Mrs. Ezra Mitchell, (Imogene) Salyers. Eunice, both of Ft. Duchesne; Brent Vicki James, Whiterocks; Mrs. Hubert (Clara Ann) Nanty, San Carlos, Arizona; Harold, Ft. Ord, California; Marion Smith, St George; 11 grandchildren. Burial was in the John Harmes cemetery, Whiterocks. j Funeral services held for Ada Stanley Funeral services were held last week at the LDS fifth ward in Heber City for Ada Stanley. Prelude and postlude wu played by RaNee J. Carlile. Officiating was President Wayne Thacker, family prayer by Earl Giles, prayers by Arvel Rhoades and Ben BelL Speakers were President Thomas Fabrizio, Burnell Turn bow, and Bishop LaMont Moon. Special tribute, Connie Lee, two musical selections were given by Carlene Williams accompanied by Gay Moon. There was also a song by Tabiona Ward Relief Society. The grave was dedicated by Angus Thacker. Burial wu in the Heber City Cemetery. USU graduates area students Bob Hope, comedian and humanitarian was the commencement speaker at the 82nd annual ceremonies at Utah State University. Among approximately 1850 candidates for degrees were the following bachelor's degree candidates: From Altamont in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences: Forrest Brian Hansen, from Bluebell, in Business: Kirk G. Seeley, from Duchesne in Busineu was Lori Jo Perkins and in Family Life, Linda Wright, from Myton in Education, Barbara Jean Uresk and in Family Life, Mary Harding, and from Neola in Family life, Eunice Pratt, from Roosevelt in Agriculture wu Clark B. Allred, in Business, Kent B. Haueter, in Education, Gayla Murray, and in Family Life, Karol Allred and Gwen Page. vegetation will the higher areas, but the d heavy moisture accumulations should in good growth this summer, he added. result Resources southern regional law enforcement and education officer counted 130 dead on a rocky outcropping off the road. Dead doves have also been reported in Daggett County in northeastern Utah, and numerous small passerines died in Box Elder County in northern Utah. Don Paul, Division information specialist, found the small birds in pot holes in the cliff (sees in thst area frozen with their heads tucked under their wings. Most common in that area were NEW LOADER--Th- e new front-en- d loader purchased by Duchesne city last week was quickly put into use by city crews. Its main purpose will be to help with the street maintainence projects according to Mayor Dale Workman. WE ARE YOUR INSURANCE "CONNECTION" One way of saying we serve throughout the BASIN wi h Fast Claims Services. Better let our staff DAVE BAILEY and CLIFF DR0LLINGER tell you more. THEY KNOW THE TERRITORY AND YOUR REQUIREMENTS. CENTRAL UTAH INSURANCE AGENCY 22 North 200 East Roosevelt, Utah 722-507- i lingering illness. She was born November 28, 1908 in Marion, Illinois to Charley and Fred Susan Foster. She married Smithson, March 28, 1945. He died. Married Ervin Sadler, later divorced. Survivors: Stepson, stepdaughters; Leonard E. Sadler, Anna, Illinois; and Mrs. William (Marilyn Sue Abernathey, Anna, Illinois; 2 foster grandchildren; brother and sister, C. D. Foster, Arlington, Virginia; Fern Gray, Anna, hipping sparrows and gray flycatchers. Several hundred barnswallows died in barns, garages and other outbuildings on Division waterfowl management areas. It's one of the hazards wildlife has to Game said Dividion Upland face, Supervisor Darrell Nish. But this years losses have been somewhat freakish. Local recommendations to the Interagency Committee have reflected an optimistic outlook for Utah deer herds throughout the state, according to Rodney John, Division of Wildlife Resources big game supervisor. Deer season recommendations will again be mostly for buck only hunts, complemented by a higher number of either sex permits over more units across the state than last year. We do have a few areas of special concern which will have more restrictive seasons and one area where a closed season has been recommended," said John. Recommendations are a result of data collected by the Interagency Committee-represent- ed by the Bureau of I.and Management, u. S. Forest Service and Diviaion-f- or the Board of Big Game Control. Field men make pellet group counts, browse transects and range rides each spring then meet on a local level to analyze this information. It is supplemented by trend counts, preseason classification, highway mortality, age classification and harvest figures all compiled by the Division. After all these data are considered, field men make their recommendations to the State Interagency committee, whjjh in turn makes recommendations for the entire state to the Board. John noted that big game in the state wintered well this year, since stormy weather didn't hit until the latter part of February. The animals are lower than normal for this time of year, due to the storms. The growing season for browse, broad-leave- W the Duchesne County Hospital from succeed Nannettc Kearns. Mrs. Kearns, who has served two years as chairman and one year as a council member, was given s potted plant as a token of appreciation for her dedicated service. Plans were made for activities next Fall to involve more parents and to familiarize them with the services available through the Title I program. A written evaluation of the 1974-7- 5 project is now being compiled at the school district office. Copies may be obtained upon payment of the cost of duplication. The project was designed to help students increase their skills in oral language and reading. Achievement test scores indicate that the program has been an outstanding success, and plans are being made for its continuation next year. grasses and be set back VWWVWWWt Opal M. Sadler At Tuesday's meeting of the school dist riils Title 1 Parent Advisory Council. La Kao Murphy was elected chairman to Fish and Game Report e $2.30 $34.50 New officers elected for parents council 2 . |