The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-16
PRESIDENT VETOES
JAMES RIVER BILL
Continued from Page One.

JAMES RIVER BILL
/ Continued from Page One.
installations and advantageous power
i sites asgregatins about 1.O4s,0Oe horse
power. where the control by these con-
Germs is practically admitted
Seventeen Per Cent.
This is over Il per cent Of the total
developed water power OF the country.
Further evidence OF a very strong nature
as TO additional inter-corporate relations.
furnished by the bureau. leads me to the
| conclusion that this total should be IN
creased TO "A per cent; and stin other
evidence. though less conclusive. never
theless affords reasonable ground for en-
larging this estimate by 8 per cent ad-
ditionaL II other words. II is probable
that these eleven corporations directly or
indirectly control developed water power
and advantageous power sites equal TO
more than a third OF all the developed
water power in the entire country. This
astonishing consolidation has taken place
practically within the last five years
The movement IS still IN its infancy, and
unless II is controlled the history OF the
of industry VIII be repeated IN the by
drO-electric power industry, with results
far more oppressive and disastrous for
the people. Il is true that the great bulk
Of our potential water power Is as yet
undeveloped, but the sites which are now
controlled by combinations are those
which offer the greatest advantage and
therefore hold a stragetic position. This
is certain 20 be strengthened by the
increasing demand for power and the
extension OF long-distance electrical trans
mission.
ct IS. IN my opinion. relatively unim-
portant for Us 70 know whether or not
the promoters Of this particular project
are affiliated with any Of these great cor
porations. II We make an unconditional
grant 10 this grantee, our control over It
ceases. He. or any purchaser from him,
VIII be free % sell IFS rights to any one
OF them al pleasure. The time to attach
conditions and prevent monopoly Is when
a grant Is made.
Acting with Foresight.
The great corporations are acting
with foresight, singleness OF purpose, and
vigor TO control the water powers OF the
country. They pay no attention TO State
boundaries and are not interested IN the
constitutional Law affecting navigabls
streams except as It affords what has
been aptly called 8 twilight zone where
they may ind q couvenisnt refuge from
any regulation whatever by the public
whether through the national or the
State governments.
TT IS significant that they are oppos-
ing the control OF water power on the
Desplaines River by the State OF Illinois
with equal vigor and with Ike argu-
ments TO those with which they oppose
the national government pursuing the
policy I advocate. Their attitude is the
same with reference 20 their projects
upon the mountain streams Of the West.
where the jurisdiction Of the Federal
government as the owner OF the public
lands and national forests Is not open
to question.
They are demanding legislation for
unconditional grants in peTpetuity OF
land for reservoirs. conduits, power
houses. and transmission lines 70 replace
the existing statute which authorizes the
administrative Offices OF the government
10 impose conditions 70 protect the pubic
when any permit Is issued Several bills
for that purpose are now pending IN beth
Houses. among them the bin Is. $500
70 subject lands owned or held by the
United States 10 condemnation IN the
State courts. and the bills CH
p. 1885 and s. 2ssD respective
", to grant locations and rights
of-way for electric and other power pur-
poses through the public lands and reser-
vatioGs OF the United States.
These bills we're either drafted by
representatives OF the power companies.
or are similar IN effect to those thus
drafted. On the other hand. the admin
istration proposes that authority be
given 70 issue power permits for a term
not TO exceed fifty years, irrevocable ex-
cept for breach OF condition. This pro-
vision 70 prevent revocation would re-
move the only valid ground OF objection
TO the act Of 1901. which expressly makes
all permits revocebIe at discretion.
Message on Rainy River BIZ.
7 repeat the words with which I con-
cluded my message vetoing the Rainy
River bill:
Tn place OF the present haphazard
policy Of permanently alternating valuable
public property We should substitute
definite policy along the following lines:
q" 'First-Thers should be q limited or
carefully guarded grant in the nature
Of an option or opportunity afforded
within reasonable tine fo- development
Of plans and for execution Of the
project.
% 'Second-S1ch 2 grant or concession
should be accompanied n the act making
the grant By a provision expressly max
ing it the duty Of e designated official to
annul the grant II the work is not be-
gun OF plans are not carried out IA ac-
with the authority granted.
q 'Thir6-It should aisa be the duty Of
some designated Official TO see to Il that I
II approving the plans the maximum de- |
velopment OF the navigation and power /
Is assured, or az least that In making the |
plans these may not be so developed as
TO interfere with the better |
utilization Of the water or complete de- /