Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-14


er development was again discussed
by your honorable body, the demon
strated feasibility of the project, and
its great benefits to the whole people,
led to the adoption by the general as
semblv for submission to the voters.
of a constitutional amendment author
iZing the issuance by the state of 800
100000 in bonds, in order to provide
the funds necessary to the prosecution
OF the work.
The constitutional amendment was
submitted to the voters at the general
elections held Nov. 8. 1908, and was
carried by n vote of 673 1876 to 1913 .296.
The amendment provided:
THAT the general assembly may,
by suitable legislation. provide for the
construction of a deep waterway or
canal from the present power plant of
the sanitary district of Chicago, at or
near Lockport. in the township of
Lockport, in the county of Will. to a
point in the Illinois river at or near
Utica and for the erection,
equipment and maintenance of power
pliances sufficient and suitable for the
development and utilization thereof. BY
the terms of the joint resolution of
the general assembly all power de-
veloped in said waterway may he
leased in part or in whole as the
general assembly may by law provide
and the income therefrom
shall be paid into the treasury of the
state
Private Dam Hampers Plans.
""The adoption of the constitutional
amendment for the construction of the
deep waterway between Lockport and
Utica marked the end of the period
of investigation. 1t was also ex-
pected that it would mark the Degln-
ming of the period of construction, for
the authorization of the bond issue
cleared the way for the beginning OF
work upon the proposal canal as soon
as the general assembly should enact
the legislation necessary to create the
public agencies to take charge of the
enterprise.
There are many reasons why the
delay which has arisen in carrying for
ward the states waterway project is
apt to lead to disaster. The people of
Illinois have not forgotten that at the
very outset of the movement to secure
for the state the ownership and con-
troll of all water power developed be-
tween Lockport and Utica by the ex-
penditure of the public money the
plans of the state were jeopardized by
the action of the Economy Light and
Power company in building dam at
Dresden Heights fuE the development
and appropriation og the water power
available at that point.
"a suit was instituted against the
Economy Light and Power company
for the removal of its dam and 1udg-
ment rendered in favor of the de-
PENDANT, from which an appeal was
taken by the state to the Illinois SUI
preme court. which rendered a de-
cision unfolding the findings of the
lower court. Certain federal questions
which arose in the course of the liti- !
cation in the circuit court were not
discussed in the decision of the ILL
nois supreme court; and the ques-
ton of carrying the case by writ of
error to the supreme court of the Unit |
ed States for the purpose of obtaining |
a final adjudication upon these ques-
tons is now under consideration.
Urges Fight on Monopoly.
I'm view of the importance Of the
subject matter Of this case to the state /
in connection with the contemplated |
construction of the deep waterway, /
believe that It should be carried to the /
highest tribunal in which IT'S issue can
be tested. No private corporation
would hesitate to carry up to the high.
est court a case involving principles |
and interests as important as those in /
volved in the Economy Light and
Power company case are to the state
Of Illinois; and the interests of the
state should be equally well guarded
and protected. I therefore urge the
at this session OF an
mount sufficient to defray the costs
Ind expenses of carrying this case to
he supreme court of the United
States
The act of congress Of March 3.