The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-17
DenUer Chamber
On Water Rights

The Evening Times, Washington.
D. c.
Gentlemen: Our attention has been di-
rected to an article pUrporting TO have
been published in your journal under
dsls OF January 1. 1909, and copied In
the Cincinnati Enquirer OF a later date.
This article We consider an attack
upon one OF the prominent industries OF
the State Of Colorado. The article
charges that the Central Colorado Pow
er Company, Of which the Hon. Myron
T. Herrick. Of Ohio, is president, has
acquired a monopoly OF valuable water
and forest rights in Gore canyon, and
other places along the Grand river, in
direct opposition to the interests OF the
people and the Reclamation Service and
Forest Bureau Of the United States
Government.
The Central Colorado Power Com
pauy is but one Of a number of power
companies organized to do business in
this State. and its rights constitute a
very small percentage Of the large num-
Der OF water power property in this
State awaiting capital for their devel-
opment.
An investigation shows that the
rights OF the Central Colorado Power
Company along the Grand river were
purchased from owners whose rights
have never been questioned; that there
has never been any litigation with the
Government or any person with refer
ence to the rights OF this company in
Gore canyon; that TIE proposed develop
ments OF the company along the Grand
river are not antagonistio TO any other
enterprise or 70 the Government, but
are calculated to benefit the entire com
u1unity; that there Is not now. and
never has been any controversy and
conflict between this company in the &C
quirement Of any OF its rights and the
Government or any Of It's bureaus.
There was some litigation as to the
reservoir site IN Gore canyon some years
ago, but the Central Colorado Power
Company was not at that time organic
ed, and It has acquired no rights IN
controversy there.
THE power company in question has
never acquired BY purchase or any
other manner any timber lands IN tnis
State. and has paid the Government Tor
all timber claimed to have been de-
strOyed bV reason OF the construction
OF the power lines OF the company.
I'VE consider thts development OF
cheap power and the transmission or
the same over this State, as Is now
other power companies to be IN the
interest OF all industries and Of All the
people OF this state, and we expect
great material benefits 10 accrue TO our
people from the extensive developments
which are now being made, and we
welcome the investment OF capital IN
similar enterprises We approve of the
conservation Of the waters and forests
OF the State in every practical manner
and IN our judgment this is exactly
what is being done in its development
by the Central Colorado Power Com
panv and we believe said company is
entitled TO be encouraged In every
proper manner.
I'm view of the statements made in
the article above referred TO relating
TO an industry which is now spending
several millions Of dollars in developing
the resources of this State, we would
be recreant TO our trust did we not re-
quest that this letter, which we con-
ceive 10 be a direct ard official denial
OF the article above quoted, should have
the same publicity that was given 20
the article which was published IN your
journal OF January 1, 1903.
yours, very truly.
"E. L SCHOLTZ,
President Denver Chamber OF Com
merce and Board Of Trade"