The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-10
EetterS to tbe GdftOr
NEEDED LEGISLATION
For Utilizing the Water Powers of On
 Navignble Streams.

For Utilizing the Water Powers of Our
 Navignble Streams.
 Editor The Advertiser:
 The control of our navigable streams by the Federal Government, as now practised is bar to individual enter prise. prohibiting the utilization of the million units of water power, now run ming to waste.
 In the older States. the rivers pro- posed to be opened to navigation. by surveyed by United States engineers, and the locks and dams located. with approximate cost of construction. The streams, is many millions horse power. The utilization of this power is denied to private enterprise by the Govern thereby indefinitely suppressed
 Before the commercial use of elec- tricity in the transmission of energy hibitive use. was not so keeniy felt by the individual. For in very many in- stances. perhaps, theseipowers were at stans panfs a4d 1od of fering little inaucement for profitable investment But now that through the powers may be transmitted and profit ably used more than hundred miles away, the Federal Government that ought to look to the advantage of all
  use from private enterprise.
 Therefore, to the end that the waste powers of our. .navigable streams be nodestly suggests the enactment of a law by Congress allowing riparian holders the right to build dams and de- waiting indefinitely until the streams are opened to navigation,
 Assuming that the stream has been properly surveyed, the locks and dams located, the law should allow riparian holders to build the dams as specified by the engineers, if need be under Gov power plants at points promising least interference with navigation. The law should further provide for the recoup- 9 the tSs o ies the & completion of the lock and opening the stream to navigation. with perpetual guarantee for all the surplus water of tion.
 Such e. law. fair alike to the Govern IIet, ment and the public r.,nen t Is believed; these waste powers, and to the. extent of building the dams would further the work looking to the opening of our properly formulated. enabling the pub lie to convert these powers into indus trial uses. would add much to the no section would more advantageous re- suits flow from such an act, as in the State of Alabama, noted as 1t is for the
 The fact that a humber of parties in the the Government for concessionns' look. ing to the development of the powers of cur rivers, notably the Coosa and the | Tennessee, Is evidence that these pow | CTS would be speedily utilised with the granting of just concessions. But In them. so to speak, have been turned down"-the Government pursuing sort of dog in the manager policy that will neither open, the stream to nayi- waste powers into agents of industrial i thrift by its own citizens,
 It has been almost generation since made, and in many instances no work has been done in the way of further | improvement With the present ex- liberal appropriations for the improve ment of our harbors and rivers are not promising, Another generation may pass and find no further improvement act of Congress affording relief, there l can be no general use of the vast pow CTS of our navigable streams.
 Congress should not enact law per hitting the granting of concessions to riparian holders. The right to use proper restrictions, should no longer Riabame Al aenneU congresNnan favoring such a law, and it is devoutly hoped that bill and become O law during the next ses- sion of Congress. The necessity of such a law Is manifestly essential to open'ug the way for the. general use of these powers. and we should receive the earnest support of every fair-mind- ed Congressman who would serve the interest of his constituents.
 TalfadeEa, Ala, June Sth. 1905.