Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-04-04
THE PROPOSED WATER
POWER MONOPOLY

A bill, introduced into the senate
by Senator Wipperman, is before the
legislature which authorizes a
company Of men to establish and
maintain a system Of water reservoirs
In the Wisconsin river valley. The
Wisconsin river and all It's tributaries,
together with the lakes connected
with them, come under the provisions
OF the bill. Its ostenSible purpose is
to produce a uniform flow Of water in
the Wisconsin river Thereby improv-
ing the navigation and other uses OF
said stream and diminishing the
injury to property, both public and
private. Its real purpose seems to be
to place In the hands OF this company
the control OF the enormous water
power OF this vast region for COM
mercial uses.
Two considerations should be borne
In mind by the legislature In passing
upon this bill.
First, Notwithstanding the patent
advantages to the state that would
come from the development Of
manufacturing establishments in
northern Wisconsin it is not at all
sure that the people Of the state want
to obtain this development in the
manner that this bill suggests.
Certain 1t is that the people of the
counties most affected by it do not
want 1t. All agree that it is
wise to encourage manufacturing.
The wealth OF the state would be
increased by so doing. But the
development of manufacturers is not
the only thing to be striven for.
Farming and dairy interests of
northern Wisconsin are of prime
Importance. The preservation OF the
wonderfully beautiful lake region of
this section, one by the glories of
Wisconsin, Is OF supreme consequence
to the people of the whole state. Its
destruction would be an irreparable
loss which could not be compensated
for by the building OF factories. These
lakes are an exceedingly valuable
resource to the state and the means
of untold pleasure to thousands Of
people. 1t is not at all clear that the
price paid for this development Of
manufactures would not be so I'M
reasonably large that the state would
be poorer and not richer as con-
sequence, ..
Second, IL it Is deemed best that
such a system of reservoirs be con-
structed, this should be done as q
public work, not as q private profit
making enterprise. The fran chiSe
granted by the pending bill is
doubtless of enormous value; and not
penny Is given to the state In return
Ii 1t Is decided that the best interests
OF northern Wisconsin will be
promoted by the carrying out of some
such plan as that proposed, 1t should
be undertaken by the people Of that
section and managed for the public ben
eft. Under no circumstances should
1t be In the hands Of a private com.
pany with absolute monopoly power,
such as the proposed company would
have. The giving OF such valuable
franchise, without any compensation,
is not to be thought Of for an instant.
The whole industrial development
of large portion Of the state would
be absolutely under the control of the
men who are seeking to obtain these
rights. Under the provisions of the
bill these men could do as they please
aud the people would be wholly at
their mercy. This is power toe
great to be exercised by private
individuals for private gain.
What are the main provisions of the
bill?
1t gives r. B. Tweedy, w. L.
Edmonds aud Frank Garrison and
their associates full power over the
waters OF the Wisconsin river,
together with the waters of all the
lakes, rivers and creeks which dis
charge into the Wisconsin at a point
north OF the south line of Adams
county.
These men will have. the right to
construct all the dams. sluiceways and
other structures that they may wish
TO build.
They may also acquire all the
capital stock and the property of any
and all the river improvement
companies that may now exist.
They are given the right Of eminent
domain in order that they may obtain
whatever lands and materials they
may wish to use.
They may sell or lease the water
power as they may see fit.
They may charge tolls upon all logs,
lumber and timber floated down these
streams.
They may charge tolls from the
owners or lesSees OF water powers
upon the Wisconsin and all it's tribu-
tarieS
They are entitled to a clear profit OF
10 per cent upon all the money in
vested, after paying all the costs of
operation and maintenance.
They are permitted to charge toll
for sly mOnthss uso avon tho,,rt ~.