The saving by the use of electrical power can be better comprehended when 

 it is understood that the development of one-horse power by coal costs an average of 

 about $125, while electrical power is furnished the small mines at $50 per horse 

 power per year and the large mines at $35. 



Power for Irrigation. 



Lifting waters by their own power is practically what is being done in the 

 use of electricity for irrigation purposes. There is throughout the state much 

 valuable land, the productive power of which can be greatly increased by irriga- 

 tion. With the use of cheap electrical power for pumping, it is possible to put 

 much of this land under water during the growing season, and the electrically 

 operated reclamation projects throughout the state are an unqualified success. The 

 largest of the reclamation plants of this character is in the Prickly Pear Valley, 

 a few miles from Helena. Two large pumping plants for irrigation have been 

 installed in this valley by the Montana Reservoir & Irrigation company, which 

 secures its power from the Montana Power Company's Hauser lake plant on the 

 Missouri river. The Hauser Lake Dam forms a large artificial lake, from which the 

 water is pumped to thousands of acres of adjacent farm lands. In this project, 

 water for irrigation purposes is furnished at an exceptionally low rate, the contract 

 price paid by the farmers being $1.75 per acre-foot. The unqualified success of this 

 plant insures the rapid extension of the use of electricity for irrigation purposes. 



Cities Are Supplied. 



Approximately one-third of the earnings of the Montana Power company are 

 derived from lighting, heating and small power in fifty cities and towns in Montana. 

 In addition to this, flour mills, electric street and interurban railways, cement 

 plants, dredges, coal mines and numerous other industries consume a large amount 

 of electrical energy. 



The domestic water supply of almost all of the larger cities is pumped by 

 electric power. Thousands of electric flatirons are in constant use in the homes 

 of the people. Cooking by electricity is becoming very popular. Electrically driven 

 sewing and washing machines are in every day use, and many other devices which 

 tend to lighten the duties of the housewife are operated by electric power. 



Companies in Operation. 



So far most of the development in Montana has been carried on by the Montana 

 Power company. There are a few other companies operating in the state. Their 

 present capacity is as follows: 



Generating Capacity 

 (Kilowatts) (H. P.) 



Montana Power Company 177,450 236,600 



Missoula Light & Power Company 4,000 5,330 



Northern Idaho & Montana Power Company.... 2,500 3,330 



Western Smelting & Refining Company 1,500 2,000 



Jardine Gold Mining & Milling Company 750 1,000 



186,200 248,260 



Company Is Large. 



The Montana Power company is the largest in the state. It developed from a 

 consolidation of the Butte Electric and Power company, the Missouri River Electric 

 and Power company, the Great Falls Power company and the Thompson Falls Power 

 company, although the two latter companies are separate corporate entities. The 

 complete summary of the plants under this company is as follows: 



