The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-14
ADAM BILL
 IS VETOED Roosevelt Sends Warn ing to Congress. TO SAFEGUARD PRIVILEGES FiIibustering Demands of the Minority Are Upheld. The President, in a special Message, Urges in Vigorous Terms, . Poi- ley on Granting Dam and
 Bridge Privileges.
TO SAFEGUARD PRIVILEGES

Washington, April 1s.---In a special message vetoing 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 100000 horse power. whose produc- tion would cost annually 25.000 900 tons of coal. urged In vigorous terms the establishment of a policy, such as the hlibustering minority in the House demands. which would safeguard the granting of bridge and dam privileges and require the grantees to pay for them; and definitely announced a fu- ture policy on his part with regard to prompt utilization of construction privileges by refusing his signature to bill giving an additional three years to the Rainy River Improvement Com pany in which to build . dam in the Rainy River.
 T cannot believe" says the Presi- dent that natural resources sh ouid be granted and held in an undeveloped condition either for speculative or oth- CT reasons. So far as [ am aware. there are no assurances that the grantees Gin this case) are In any bet ter condition promptly and properly to utilize this opportunity than they were at the time of the original act (Krant ing the privilege) ten years ago.
 The present policy pursued in mak Ing these grants $ unwise, in giving away the property of the people in the flowing waters to individuals or organ izations practically unknwon, and granting fin perpetuity these valuable privileges in advance of the formation Of definite plans as to their use.
 Tn place of the present ha hazard policy of permanently alternating val uable public property, we sh ourS sub stitute definite policy along the fol- lowing lines:
 T. There should be q limited or carefully guarded grant in the nature of an option or an opportunity afford cd within easonable time for develop ment of plans and for execution of the project.
 "2. Such a grant or concession should be accompanied in the act nak- ing the grant by a provision expressly making it the duty of the designated ofncial to annul the grant if the work is not begun or plans are not carried out in accordance with the authority granted.
 "a. 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 m maklnS the plans Jnes9 may not be so developed as ultimately to inter- fere with the better utilization of the water or complete development of the power.
 A. There should be a license or charge which. though small or nor1in- al at the outset, can in the future be adjusted so as to secure q control in tn the interest of the public.
 "5. Provision should be made for the termination of the grant or priv ilege at a certain time. leaving to fu- ture generations the power or autho ty to renew or extend the concession In accordance with the conditions which may prevail at that time"