Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-04-19

for the protection of streams and for.
ests be not undone by flooding state
lands and destroying tree growth just
where. for every reason, II should be
protected.
Our navigable streams and rivers.
like our streets and highways. are open
TO the free use of the people of the
state. No one can acquire ownership
In these waters. If the public, through
legislation, grants such franchises. sur
rendering the use of any of it's navi-
gable streams to individuals or corpo-
rations, 1t is entitled to a reasonable
consideration therefor. This it may
not choose to take as a money consid-
GRAFTON, but the state cannot do less
than recognize the rights of the public
IN making reasonable reserva-
tions at the time IL confers
the grants. The franchise so taken in
money grants rights of a great and
rapidly increasing value. The vast
amount of power which these waters
produce is resource of a public ma
ture in the advantage and benefit of
which the public should participate.
Modern industrial development is
making rapid progress. Already these
water powers are extensively employed
to generate electricity. The trans.
mission of this power over consider
able distances is successfully accom-
plished with little loss. II will In the
near future be more widely distribut-
ed at considerably diminished cost.
In manufacturing and electric lighting
in cities. towns and in the country. in
operating street and interurban cars
for the transportation of passengers
and in furnishing to factory and the
farm electricity, it will eventually be-
come OF great Importance in the in.
dustrial life of our commonwealth.
1T is therefore quite apparent that
these water powers are No longer to
be regarded simply as Of local import
ance. They are of industrial and
commercial interest to every commu-
nifty in the state. Whether it be locat-
ed in the immediate neighborhood of
waterfall will in time make little or
no difference. While this is becoming
more manifest year by year, it is prob
ably true that we do not as yet approx
imately estimate the ultimate value of
these water powers to the people of
Wisconsin.
"The capital already invested, in
dustries already established. may in a
few years find themselves quite at the
mercy of powerful companies in com.
bined control of the waterpower of
the state.
Such Investigations as | have been
able TO make on the subject plainly in
dicates that many of the grants to con-
struct dams heretofore passed by the
legislature have been to secure con-
troll speculative purposes. In such
case % Improvements whatever have
been made. The grants have been
held awaiting opportunities to sell the
same with large profit to the holders
who have not invested. To encourage
this development under such condi-
lions as will justly and fairly protect
the public rights in these natural re-
sources, therefore recommend that in
all grants of this character hereafter
made it shall be provided:
Il. That failure to exercise the
rights granted under the franchise
within period of two years shall OPP
crate as a forfeiture of the same
y. That whenever the power ac-
quired under and by virtue of the
franchise shall be operated, or its OPP
GRAFTON suspended pursuant to any
contract, agreement or understanding,
expressed or implied, in violation of
government, the franchise shall be
forfejt ed forthwith.
8. that whenever power acquired
undor and by virtue of the franchise
snail be offered for sale, that some
reasonable provision shall be made
for the protection of the state, of mu-
inequalities, of corporations and indi-
viduals in the purchase of such power
at reasonable rates therefor.
"A. That the franchise so granted
state through It's tax commission or
state board of assessment.
Il further recommend the passage of
a general law repeating all such fran
ohises granted prior to Jan. 1, 1908,
where the dams have not been built
pursuant to the grant; and that the
further provisions, hereinbefore rec
commended. for all grants hereafter to
be made, be incorporated in such gen
eral act and adopted as amendments
to all grants of like character hereto