Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-03-31
FIGHTS SNAKE
RIVER DAM
Senator Hepburn Opposes COnCes-
sion to Private Corporation

WA0AAAtN0 TN NAAIh 81 " ASH
lngtOn and Idaho delegations in the
house and senate have divided over
the question as to whether the Benz
ton Water Power company shall be
given the privilege az Five Mile
rapids. A struggle took place in the
senate, Senator Hepburn putting up
a strong fight against the bill, and
Senators Ankeny. Piles and Borah
giving the measure their support.
Congressman Jones introduced the
bill in the last congress and 1t was
passed through the house. but was
killed by Senator Hepburn Ia the
senate. Congressman Jones again
carried the bill through the house at
this session. Today the bill was
reached in the senate on the calendar.
Senator Hepburn made speech
against It and Senators Piles. Ankeny
and Borah all spoke in favor. Later
Senator Hepburn raised the question
or no quorum, and a call Of the SEN
ate failed 10 bring in a quorum. so
adjournment was forced. The fight
will continue today, when at Q
O'Clock the Benton bill comes up as
unfinished business.
Although with no personal m feel
ing, Senators Hepburn and BOrah as
sumed markedly antagOnistic atti-
tudes, Hepburn declaring al adjourn
ment that he IL willing to so to his
people on the issue. standing his
chances as to reelection thereon.
Senator Hepburn advanced as the
reason for his opposition, In sub
stance: Il will never agree to turn
over to private corporation the con-
troll of a navigable stream, either the
Snake or any other river. The gov
eminent should build such works, not
private company. The Snake river
must be kept open TO the sea for
ever. as a permanent guarantee that
the people OF eastern Washington
and northern idaho will always have
watercourses as a protection against
excessive railroad rates"
He declared that he knew that IL
the sentiment Of the people OF north
ern Idaho, and when Senators An
keny and Piles alleged that the
northern Idaho people in part had i'm
dorsed the Benton scheme. Hepburn
holly resented what he alleged was
an attempt Of other senator's to rep
resent his own constituency
Senator Borah spoke briefly, say
ing he, too, wanted to insure an open
river 70 the sea, but thought the
plan proposed BY the Benton COM
pany helped. rather than hindered.
navigation.
The debate was exceedingly siren
uous. At no time previously has
Senator Hepburn made more
strenuous address He was visibly
stirred that his position excited OPP
position from the other northwest
senator's.
The Benton company for several
years has desired to dam the Snake
river at Five Mile rapids. diverting
the waters to reclaim a large tract OF
arid lands. Their plans call for a
35-foot concrete dam, which the COM
pany alleges will raise the water Of
the river enough to back II for
many miles. improving navigation.
Although another Law already pro-
yides that In such cases the com
pany getting rights TO dam the river
must build locks to be maintained
free. Senator Borah offered the same
provision as an amendment to this
bill.
Senator Hepburn. however, at
tackled the whole proposition. per.
sistently presenting the argument
that the government and not private
interests should build such dams. He
questioned the Availability Of turn.
ing over such rights to any company
which might at any time go out OF