Eugene Pike Interview, circa November 1979
Description
Eugene Pike discusses the history of the Missoula Electric Cooperative from 1946 to 1976. He describes his involvement with rural electrification through his job with the Missoula County Water Board and how he was offered the job of manager of Missoula Electric Cooperative. Pike talks about the complicated network of agreements and laws established in the Rural Electrification Act of 1937 under which the cooperative operated. Pike also discusses the series of court cases in which the Montana Power Company sought and often succeeded in limiting electric cooperatives’ business across the state of Montana. Pike tells stories about fallen power lines and discusses the equipment used to build new lines. He also talks about the social impact that rural electrification had on rural populations. The audio quality for this interview is poor, and it’s difficult to hear the interviewee.