The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-14


nected or connectable inland water
ways as a whole should be improved
for the purpose of interstate and for
eign commerce upon a consistent and
unified plan by which each part should
be made to help every other part.
Heritage of the People.
THE income derivable from this
source would materially aid in the
complete improvement of our naviga-
BILE waters, for which there is now such
crying need The chief Of engineers of
the army reports the bills now pending
at this session permit the construction
of dams in navigable rivers capable of
developing over 100000 horse power
These rivers run every hour Of the day
and every day in the year. To develop
this amount Of power would under
average conditions, require about 25.-
DOC, 900 tons Of medium quality coal ev-
cry year. This natural wealth is the
heritage Of the people. / see no reason
for giving it away. Though there is
every reason for not imposing condi-
lions so burdensome as to prevent the
utilization of the power.
I'VE are now at the beginning of a
great development in water power. Its
use through electrical transmission is
entering more and more largely into
every element of the daily life of the
people; already the evils of monopoly
are becoming manifest; already the
experience of the past shows the ne
cessity of caution in making unre-
stricted grants of this great power.
1.-The present policy pursued in
making these grants is unwise in CIV
ing away the property of the people
in the flowing waters to individuals
or organizations practically unknown
and granting in .perpetuity these val
liable privileges in advance Of the for
nation of definite plans as to their
use. In some cases the grantees ap-
parently have little or no financial or
other ability to utilize the gift, and
have sought it merely because it could
be had for the asking.
I'm place of the present haphazard
policy of permanently alternating val
liable public property we should sub
stitute a definite policy along the fol-
lowing lines:
Declares His Policy.
"First-There should be a limited or
carefully guarded grant in the nature
of an option or opportunity afforded
within reasonable time for develop
ments of plans and for execution of the
project.
"Second-Such a grant Of conces-
sion should be accompanied in the act
making the grant by a provision ex-
pressly making it the duty of the des-
the work is not begun or plans are not
carried out in accordance with the
authority granted.
'"Third-It should also be the duty of
some designated official to see to it
that in approving the plans the maxi
mum development of the navigation
and power is assured or at least that
in making the plans these may not be
so developed as ultimately to interfere
with the better utilization of water or
complete developments of the power.
'Fourth-There should be license
fee or charge which though small or
nominal at the outset. can in the fu-
ture be adjusted so as to secure a
control in the interest of the public.
"Fifth-Provision should be made for
the termination of the grant or privi-
lege at a definite time leaving to fu-
ture generations the power or auth
ority to renew or extend the conces-
sion in accordance with the condition
which may prevail at that time