upr000274 71

Mr. Barnes mentioned that he had gained the impres­sion from Mr. Allard during conference with the Commission representatives and the Las Vegas Water District represent­atives last October that Mr. Allard would be receptive to a rate increase as a help in the formation of the District. We told him that we had gone to our preliminary conference with Mr. Allard on March 1st with this impression* but that we had a different impression after the conclusion of the conference0 Mr. Allard will come up for reappointment again after the fall election in which the Governor of Nevada is running for reelection0 His future on the Com­mission apparently hinges upon the outcome of the guber­natorial race. Mr. Allard expressed himself as not desiring to assume any undue burden for the benefit of the Water District* and does not look with favor upon filing of a rate-increase application at any time prior to the fall election. Mr. Hulsizer and Mr. Barnes said they could ap­preciate the political angle. W© advised them that we had not filed any rate increase application* that Mr, Wehe de­sired the information requested for the purpose of complet­ing his study and report on the earnings of the water pro­ducing and distributing facilities at Las Vegas, a copy of which would be furnished to all concerned for their views and comments prior to the filing of any application for rate increase. 5-