The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1909-12-04

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purpose of development and transmit
ting electrical power for private and
public use, and for. the storage of
water for power, irrigation and other
uses;
"2. That such easement be grant
ed for limited period, with manu-
mum of at least 80 years and the OPP
ton of renewal for stated periods
upon agreed terms;
"3. That entry shall be accompan-
led by plans and specifications cover
ing the works sought to be installed,
and covering the maximum horse
power 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 per-
NIT of the estimated power develop
ment be made;
"a. That the construction period al
lowed entrymen for the development
of at least 20 per cent of such power
shall not extend beyond four years,
or such further time as may be
granted by the secretary of the inter
Tor upon proper showing;
"5. That moderate charge shall
be made on the capital invested, or
upon the gross earnings of the por-
ject for the first ten years of opera
ton, adjusted at each subsequent
ten-year old period, and equitably de-
termined by appraisement;
&c. That all rights and easements
shall be forfeited for failure to make
development within the limitations
imporsed upon entry into any con-
tract or combination to charge or
fix rates beyond reasonable profit
on the investment and cost of opera
ton, or enter into any agreement or
combination to limit the supply of
electrical current, or failure to oper-
ate the plant; and,
az. That all books and accounts
shall always be subject to the in
spection of the department.
Unreasonable or narrow restric-
tons beyond the necessity Of public
protection against monopoly, or ex-
tortion in charges, will, of course;
defeat development and serve no use
full purpose. The statute, should,
therefore, while giving full public |
protection against the abuses of the
privileges extended, so far as con-
sistent, encourage investment in these
projects; and it must always be borne |
in mind that excessive charges for the
franchise will fall upon the consumer.
Legislation of this character proceeds
upon the theory that congress can i'm
pose such contractual terms and con-
ditions as it sees fit in tie sale or use
permitted Of government lands SO
long as limitations do not conflict
with the powers properly exercised
by the state wherein they may be sit
uated.
"The act approved June II, 1909,
known as the reclamation act,
clothes the secretary of the interior
with broad discretion in the con-
struction bf irrigation works and dis
bursement of the reclamation fund;
into which fund had been paid, up
to and including June 80, 1908, the
total sum Of $50, 1851 ,549.27, and the
net investment from which in recla-
nation works on June 80, 1909,
to the sum Of $45, 757, 3d.
"a. The cash receipts from water /
right charges to June 80, 1909, were:
Building charges, $299, 841.22; oper-
alton and maintenance charges,
$40 ,s25.8S, total, $S7O,667.10. Be
cause Of the magnitude Of the work
and the desirability of making plans
far in advance, it has been found
necessary to make estimates of the
amounts that will become available
before the actual receipts in the fund
% June 80, 1909, are $5s, 5s2, LAO. SO.
Upon this basis and estimated re-
,eipts which will become available be-
fore December 81, 1910, $5,52s, O5O
have been allotted for reclamation
purposes to December 81, 1910.
ENDORSES BOLD ISSUE.
an view Of the Importance Of a
speedy completion Of existing projects
md their proper extension, and of
he necessity in 1912 Of an adjust
nent between the states by which the
major jortiOn Of the funds arising
rom the sale Of public lands within
ZACH state and territory shall have
been expended SO far as practicable
within such state and territory, and
n view Of the Importance of making
/ beneficial use of water already APP