The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-04-18
Would Protect Natural Resources,

"ashingtoV.-In a special message
monday, retoing a dam bill, President
roosevelt warned Congress that there
are pending in this session bills which
propose TO give away without price
stream rights capable OF developing l.
'Vo00o-horse power, whose production
would cost annually 25,000. 900 tons of
coal urging in vigorous terms the es-
ldDllshment of p icy such as the
hIibusterinS minority in the House de
hlandS, which would safeguard the
granting of bridge and dam privileges
and require the grantees to pay for
them; and definitely announcing IA fu-
lure policy on his part with regard to
prompt utilization of construction priv
lieseS b. refusing his signature to a
Dill that gives an additional three years
TO the Rainy River Improvement Com,
pany within which to build dam in
the Ralny river in northeast Mime
sofa.
L do not believe" SAYS the Presi-
dent, that natural resources should be
granted and held in an undeveloped
condition, either for speculative or
other reasons. So far as | am aware,
Tin the case) are in any better condi-
tion promptly and properly to utilize
this opportunity than they were at the
time OF the original act tgranling the
plWileges) ten years ago"
Discussing the federal policy, the
President says
Every permit to construct dam
on navisable stream should SPECIFIC
ally recognize the right of the gov
etnment TO fix a term for its duration
and TO impose such charge or charges
as may be deemed necessary to protect
the present and future interests of the
lnned States, in accordance with thu
act of June 21, 1906.
The chief Of engineers OF the army
reports that the bills now pending at
this session of Congress permit the con
struCtion of dams in ravigable rivers
capable of developing over 800 ,ooo-
horse power. These rivers run every
hour in the day and every day in the
year. To develop this amount of power
would. under average conditions. re
qulre about 25.00o.000 tons of medium
quality coal every year. This natural
wealth is the heritage of the people.
l see no reason for giving it away,
though there is every reason for not
to prevent the utilization OF the power.
In place of the present haphazard
| policy of permanently alternating ralu.
able public property we should substl-
stitule a definite policy along the fol
lowing lines:
"First-There should be a limited or
carefully guarded gran. in the nature
OF an option or opportunity afforded
within reasonable time for develop
mpnts of plains and for execution Of
the project.
"Second-Such a grant or concession
should be accompanied in the act max
ing ii the duty of the designated official
to annul the grant if the work is not be-
gun or plans are not carried out ir ac.
cordance with the authority granted.
"Third-It should also be the Gity OF
some designated official to see 20 II that
In approving he plans the maximum
Developments of the navigation and
power is assured, or at least that in
making the plans these may not be 50
developed as ultimately to interfere
with the better utilization of the water
or compiete development of he power
"Fourfh-There should he licens"
fee or charge which. though small or
nominal AT the outset. can in the future
be adjusted so as 10 secure control
in the interests of the public.
"Fifth-Provision should be made for
the termination of the grant or privii'
ege at a definite time, leaving TO future
generations the power or authority 10
renew or extend the concession IN ac-
cordance with the ends which may pre-
vail at that time.