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Show THE SALT LAKE TIMES FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1976 Page Two Cheap Energy Gone 10 200 Years Ago (continued from page 1) ; independent States, and as such they have, and of right ought to have, full power to make war, conclude peace, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which other States may rightfully do. You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the causes which have impelled us to this mighty revolution, and the reasons which will justify it in the sight of God and man. A plan of confederation will be taken up in a few days. Latter in his letter Adams said, It is the will of Heaven that the two countries should be sundered forever. It may be the will of Heaven that America shall suffer calamities still more wasting, and distress yet more dreadful. If this is to be the case, it will have this good effect at least. It will inspire us with many virtues, which we have not, and correct many errors, follies and vices which threaten to disturb, dishonor, and destroy us. The furnace of affliction produces refinement, in States as well as individuals. And the new governments we are assuming in every part will require a purification from our vices, and an augmentation of our virtues, or they will be no blessings. The people will have unbounded power, and the people are extremely addicted to corruption and venality, as well as the great. But I must submit all my hopes and fears to an overruling Providence, in which, unfashionable as believe. the faith may be, I firmly In conclusion, Adams wrote, The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epochal in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it. will cost us to maintain the declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, and that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even though we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not. Adams was wrong on one point. It is not the second of July that we solemnize 'with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, but the fourth of July, the day that the Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. But Adams was correct on his other points. The decision of independence was the greatest one ever made by America, and it has cost America a great deal of toil, and blood, and treasure, to maintain our independence, and the freedoms we establish for ourselves when we declared ourselves independent. America is 200 years old this week. 200 years may seem like a long time, but it is really only the beginning. When the Continental Congress voted for American independence, it set not only America, but the entire world on the road to freedom, and rule by Prices at the gas pump have doubled since the Arab oil embargo hit in 1973. Anyone paying monthly utility bills knows they are paying more for electricity and gas than they ever did before. In fact in Utah residential gas and electricity prices have inin the past 18 creased over 50 months and utility company officials predict higher and higher prices over the foreseeable picture. Until fuel prices started to skyrocket no one worried much about energy costs. Now with prices climbing like they are consumer groups are beginning to question what is happening. In Utah many organizations and individuals are asking for a complete review of how residential customers are charged for their electricity and gas. Utility prices are controlled by the Utah Public Service Commission. Each time the power company or the natural gas people want to charge more they must ask the Public Service Commission to approve their request. Right now the commission is dollar examining a 'multi-millio- n rate increase granted to Utah Powe and Light Co. Several consumer groups are challenging the way the increase is applied to customers. One statewide organiation, the Utility Consumer Action Group, UCAG, says the way utility rates are accessed to residential users is unfair. The action group says that residential customers pay more than their fair share of the cost of electricity and gas service. They point for example to Utah Power and Light Company figures that indicate that in 1975 residential customers accounted for 20 of all electricity sold and generated 33 of the company revenue. In other words residents use 15 of Utah Power and Light electricity yet pay for Vs of it. Utility Consumer Action Group representatives claim this happens because of the present pricing system which charges a higher price for the first amount of electricity used and then less as more is used. The first units of electricity cost around 6.5 cents per unit and after several hundred units the cost drops below 5 cents per unit, and then down to about three cents per unit. So in effect the more you use the less you pay. This sounds good but it works against most home-owneand renters who use a small amount of electricity when compared to large industrial rs Industrial customers are encouraged to be extravagent by the present price system. With the price lower as more is used there is less incentive to b efficient. According to the Consumer Action group residential customers may well be subsidizing the less efficient consumption of lrger consumers. UCAG is supporting the adoption of the uLifelineN price system. Simply stated Lifeline means the more you use the more you pay". Applying the Lifeline system to the first few hundred units of electricity means customers pay a set amount, then as they use more the price goes up sort of step by step. Smaller' users (and larger industrial users too) would save money by using only what they need. As fuel prices go up and gas and electricity are more expensive to produce something must be done to encourage the wise use of our resources. As the Utah Public Service Commission reviews the utility rate structure question they will do well to consider how to save energy at the same time they try to assure Utah of healthy economic growth. Perhaps Lifeline is our answer. th- eLEASED GRAPEVINE Glen N. Greener, Salt Lake Public Safety Commissioner, had himself appointed acting fire chief this week, one day after Fire Chief Leon DeKorver was fired. Greener, who has been DeKorvers boss for three years, met with Fire Department battalion chief to appraise them of the expected action. One battalion chief said Greener promised to devote two hours daily to Fire Department control and management. Four members of the Utah congressional delegation reported this week mail discussing sex charges against Rep. Allan T. Howe has been light. Over the last two weeks, more letters have been received on taxes and gun control than on Howe. . Manti Prepares For Mormon Miracle Pageant Congress has approved a bill appropriating $200 million for victims of the Teton Dam flood disaster in eastern Idaho. The measure was quickly passed by the Senate and sent to President Ford. The appropriations bill was passed The Manti Utah Stake is preparby the Senate after the House ing to celebrate the 10th anni- accepted a report from a conference versary of the Mormon Miracle committee. Idaho Gov. Cecil D. Pageant. Andrus criticized the Bureau of Rehearsals have been underway Reclamation for holding its hearsince June 1, scenery is being ings in closed sessions on why the refurnished, costumes constructed earth-fil- l dam collapsed June 5. and plans completed for parking, seating and feeding the 110,000 visitors expected. Under action taken this week by The pageants eight nightly perall Salt Lake formances will be held on Temple city commissioners, will a five receive Hill in Manti July 8, 9, and 10, and City employes increase next year. wage then resuming July 13 through 17. percent The commissioners announced that Curtain time each evening will be $800,000 had been cut from deat dusk. requests, thus The cast of 350 is rehearsing for partmental abudget $600,000 deficit preeliminating the performances under the direc- dicted earlier. This years budget tion of Macksene Rux, Salt Lake was $35.9 million. The originally City theater personality. Her as- five percent increase amounts to sistants are Jane Braithwaite and considerably less than requested Helen Dyreng. various city by unions The pageant production staff has workers. representing Police and firefighters developed a permanent wardrobe had asked for an average 17 of 300 costumes. We are now percent increase. Other city work50 new costumes, ers, most of whom are represented constructing Phyllis Carpenter said. the Utah Public Employes AsAudiences of 20,000 or more will by sociation, had asked for a 10 percnt be within good sight and sound and fringe benefit increase. distance of the performance, Mr. wage Dyreng said. Dugway Proving Ground scien- the people. The American revolution is unquestionably tists have warned that mosquitoes miles south of the most significant political revolution in history, and at Blue Lake, 25 laden" with viruses are Wendover, it is still going on. When we celebrate the 200th which cause California encephalitis. scientists warned fishbirthday of America this week, we should remember The Dugway scuba divers that the ermen and that we are not simply commerating an event that disease can be fatal, but state we the are centuries two celebrating ago, health officials say they aren't too happened freedom for everyone, every- concerned about it, mainly because drive for freedom we havent had any confirmed where that still continues. said human cases for several dial Where thousands of listeners enjoy concert music and news every day! years, immunization state Nichols, Craig coordinator. He said the best way to avoid getting California encephalitis is to avoid exposure to mosquitoes. If a person is going to be in an area where there are mosquitoes, mosquito netting and repellants are advised. The Murray City Commission this week reversed the upward trend in government spending and approved a city budget smaller than last year's. The city appropriFor ated $3,737,600 for 1975-76. 1976-7- 7, the figure drops to $3,-545,00- 0. City Auditor Clifford K. It's the first time in the city's history that this has happened. Brown said, |