The Washington times., 1909-01-12
Will Withhold His Signature
From James River Bill
Providing for Dam.
REFLECTS IDEAS
ON CONSERVATION
Believes Grant Would Be Throwing
Away Valuable Property
Without a Return.
By John SNURE.

By JOHN SNURE.
President Roosevelt has another veto
message for the consideration Of Con.
gFess. At this tTOUblous time. when tbs
atmosphere between the White Hous,
ana the Capitol is laden, hguratively
speaking, with brickbats. big sticks
/ PitchtoTks, and other prOjeCtiIes familiar
10 inc controversy OF statesmen, the
PRESIDENT proposes to add to the galety
OF events by contributing a veto.
On the face of things the veto relates
10 a bin Of no large Importance. but
/ there Is much back OF il. The bin t.
which the President is opposed is one 10
auIhorlze t@e construction of p dam
across James river, in Missouri. and n
divert part Ct it's waters through q
tunnel into the river again to create
electric power, Now It so happens that
I Jhis particular bill. which has already
passed both houses, raises the whole
series or questions that surrounds the
matter OF granting water power rights.
Inc president stands firmly TO one posi-
'ioh as 70 this and Congress to another.
Disagreement Not Surprise.
Just at this time, when the executive
ana the legislative branches are at odds
on multitude OF issues. il is hardly 10
be expected that they agree on a sub
3ect over which they have failed 10
agree for some time past.
senate and House, in q sense. have
dehed the Presidents wishes in This
matter Of the James river dam and
have put Il up to him to see whether
ne VIII stand 10 his guns or retreat
4
ms position as TO water power rights
Wheh ne vetoed the bin to extend the
tiHe Tor the construction of a dam
aCLtsS RAINY river, he taking the
ground that natural resources should
Liot De granted and held i'm an unde-
NeIoped condition, either for sDecuIa-
tive or for other reasons.
me president pointed out that the
GdC S,ililss"as az the beginning of great
usN elopment In water power. thar its
us through electrical transmission vg5s
o--.SIi"e more and more largely into
SFsLy element OF the daily life of the
plopt5' Lhal already the evils of mo
H"poiy were becoming manifest 90
mat the experience of the Dasf eRoy -
ire necessity of caution In TuaI-frlr' ,, ~
restricted grants. '''
His Ideas IN Veto.
That this veto set forth the gief ~
the doctrines of conservation Of wafer
POWER in the form approved bv GIToTd
Ilhcnot and others of the leading ex-
ponents OF the Id4a Of conseryatio,, -
resources, there is no doubt.
Then along came the James river hill
1t passed the House and went 10 the
senate and 10 The Committee on Com
merce- This committee kicked over the
traces at the doctrines laid down in
the Presidents Rainy river veto. In
direct
tons Of Mr. Roosevelt I'm that case
lhe committee, through Senator Nelson.
reported the James river dam hin ana
made long report IN which il was LAID
down that the United States Govern
ment had no right to impose fees in
return lor grants OF WateTpOWer priv
ieEes. me plan proposed bV the Pres
lQeuLf said Senator Nelson. would de-
prlVe the States and the riparian own
y, -. 81. % tt'slI rights IA the use OF Ehe
waters or a naVtgable stream now vest
ed ia IHem DT law, and would cOncpn-
tTdte the entire disposal and control
IN the Federal Government, a power
which neither the States nor the ripari-
an owners can, with Justice or safety.
FOR moment cOnCcde."
Passed the Senate.
This report was made to the Senate
last session. About a week ago the
bin was passed by the Senate. 1t was
passed with the full understanding that
II was in opposition to the Presidents
ideas. From the White House view
point il was sort of throwing down Of
the gauntlet. The President is assent
ing The Senate action in that spirit and
is adhering to his position taken iy: The
Rainy river matter by vetoing the
James river bin.
It remains to be seen whether both
houses will see fit TO pass the measure
over his veto. The President believes
that he has tho support OF public senti-
menr i'm insisting on the most rigid care
In the granting of water power rights
and on the Government IN getting a re-
turn for such grants. 10 SIS needless 10
say that an issue OF the greatest mo-
ment is thus raised between the Presi-
dent and Congress, one OF far-reaching
importance 10 the public.