Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-01-16
FLAT VETO FOR WATER
w PROJECTS
Continued rom Page /, column O.,

defense which money can buy and the
ingenuity of able corporation lawyers
can devise. Long before that time
they may, and very probably viii,
have become a consolidated interest.
controlled from the great financial
%centers, debating the terms upon
which the citizen can conduct his
business or earn his livelihood, and
not amenable to the wholesome check
of local opinion"
Information collected by the bureau
Of corporations, says the president
shows that thirteen large concerns,
Of which the General Electric COM
pany and the Westinghouse Electric
and Manufacturing company are most
important, now hold water power in
stallations and advantageous power
sites aggregating about 1,046,0O0
horse power, where the control by
these concerns is practically admitted.
This Is q quantity equal to over 19 per
cent of the total now in use. Further
evidence, he says. makes it probable
that these thirteen concerns directly
or indirectly controlled valuable water
fT"Ni anu hNbnAdbtOu D'N'l Ri't'
equal to more than thirty-three per
cent Of the total water power now in
use.
This astonishing consolidation.
says the president, 'has taken place
practically within the last five years
The movement is still in its in
fancy, and unless it is controlled the
history Of the oil industry will be re-
peated in the hYdro-electric power in
uustry, with results far more opprcs-
sl'e ana disastrous for tho people.
1t is. In my opinion. relatively un-
important FOR us to know whether or
not the promoters of this particular
project are affiliated with any OF these
great corporations.
II we make an unconditional grant
10 THIS grantee our control over it
ceases He or any purchaser from
nun will be free to sell his rights to
any one of them with pleasure. The
ume TO attach conditions and prevent
monopoly is when a grant is made.
me great corporations are acting
win foresight. singlcncss of purpose
ana Vigor to control the water powers
" the country They pay no atten-
."h TO state boundaries and are not
Interested In constitutional law effect
"s ~haNlgable streams except as it af-
''IuS what has been appropriately
N"heu "a twilight zone where they
may md a convenient refuge from
any regulation whatever by the pub.
~ whether through the national oi
"e state governments. II is signifi'
an' mat they are opposing the con.
M NJ oil water powers on the De
imil's river by the state OF Illinois
WIN equal vigor. and with like argu
"ehts to those with which they op
pOSe the national government pursu
uhc policy advocate. Their atti
.epe is the same with reference 4
svi' projects upon the mountaii
.'eains Of the west. where the iuris
eNf"h OF the federal government. "a
~ owner Of the public lands and ia
rohal forests. is not open to question
my are demanding legislation 70
conditional grants in %pcrfctuity o
- ief reservoirs. conduits. poNc
Hss and transmission lines to r.
- the existing statute which au
n'ii~es the administrative Officers "a
svNernment to impose condition
h'"tect the public when any pcrmi
sue" Several bills Tor that pur
are now pending in both house,
se bills were either drafted by rep