The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-11-30
PLANS or BALLINGER
TO SAVE POWER SITES
Secretary Would Lease Them
Under Government Control.
He WOULD PREVENT MONOPOLY
All Rights Shall Be ForfeitabIe For
Failure to Make Development
Within Limitations Proposed by
Legal Entry on Lands.

Washington, D. C.-Plans to save
waterpower sites from falling into the
hands of monopoly are outlined in
the annual report of Richard A. Bal
linger, Secretary of the Interior. Mr..
Ballinger has been accused of desire
to turn these sites over to private
corporations, but his recommends
tions are for a close Government
supervision. He asks Congress to en-
act laws to this effect: .~
/. That the title to such lands be
reserved in the Federal Government,
and only an easement granted for the
purpose of developing and transmit
ting electrical power for private and
public use, and for the storage of
waters for power, irrigation and other
uses.
g. That such easement be granted
for limited period. with maximum
of at least thirty years, and the option
of renewal for stated periods upon
agreed terms
8. That entry shall be accompanied
by plans and specifications covering
the works sought to be installed, and
covering the maximum horsepower
capable of development at such site;
also, that a substantial entry fee be
paid to show good faith, and that a
transfer to the United States of the
necessary water rights to permit of
the estimated power development be
made
A. That the construction period al
lowed entrymen for the development
of at least twenty-five per cent of
such power shall not extend beyond
four years, or such further time as
may be granted by the Secretary of
the Interior upon a proper showing
s. That a moderate charge shall
be made on the capital invested, or
upon the gross earnings of the project
for the first ten years of operation,
adjusted at each subsequent ten-year
period, and equitably determined by
appraisement.
6. That all rights and easements
shall be forfeitable for failure to
make development within the limita-
tions imposed or upon entry into any
contract or combination to charge or
fix rates beyond reasonable profit
on the investment and cost of opera
ton, or entry into any agreement or
combination to limit the supply of
electrical current, or failure to OPP
crate the plant; and,
Z. That all books and accounts
shall always be subject to the inspec-
ton of the department.
Unreasonable or narrow restric-
lions beyond the necessity of public
protection against monopoly or ex-
tortion in charges, remarks Mr. Ball
lnger, will. of course, defeat devel-
opment and serve no useful purpose.
The statute should, therefore, while
giving full public protection against
the abuses of the privileges extended.
SO far as consistent, encourage invest
ment in these projects; and it must
always be borne in mind that excess
sive charges for the franchise will
fall upon the consumer"
On the general subject of the con-
servation of natural resources, the
Secretary says that Specific legisla-
tive authority should be given the de-
partment to classify and segregate
our public lands into well-def1ned d.
visions according to their greatest APP
parent use, with the continuing power
of Redistribution to meet changing
conditions and the increased know1-
edge of their character which may
necessitate the transfer of lands from
time to time from the one class to
the other"