The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1909-05-27
STATE TO CONTROL
Members Of Legislature Urge That
the State Keep Supervision
Over Water Powers
HOLD THEM VALUABLE ASSET

HaJeVef is TO De uOne WlU1S ~; INC
state and the people of the state should
keep control forever of these water
powers, which are the equivalent OF so
many coal mines, digging their own
coal to the amount of 100000 of tons
every year.
This is the pith of an article by
Senator w. R. Gaylord of Wisconsin
in last week S issue of LaFollette S
magazine on stopping Water Power
Grabs in Wisconsin.'' The Gaylord
article has special significance at this
time in that it is the first contribu-
htion of any considerable length dealing
with conditions peculiar to Wisconsin
that has appeared in Senator LaFol-
|lette's own mouth-piece. By some the
article is interpreted as one indication
of the way the wind will blow when
Senator LaFollette opens his campaign
for q second term at Washington.
Senator Gaylord in his contribution
reads the roll call in typical LaFol-
lette fashion, on those senators who
spoke in favor of the granting of addi-
tional dam franchises at this session
before investigation by a special com
.lpittee previously provided for by
both houses.
sTThe total extent Of the water
powers of Wisconsin has been esti-
mated at 100000 horse power, which
as conservative, writes Senator Gay
lord. "The value of this may be esti-
mated, as "a natural resource, when we
say that every hydro electric horse
power is equal to about twelve tons
of coal per year. That means that
Wisconsin has the equivalent within its
borders Of coal mines producing
100000 tons of coal per annum. And
the development Of the reservoir sys-
tenn at the head waters of the various
rivers Of the state will increase this
from 20 to so per cent. And SO it is
no wonder that nearly thirty bills were
introduced at this session Of the legis-
lature, asking for franchises for dams.
Nor is it to be wondered at that lob
byists filed the corridors and commit
tee rooms during the bitter fight that
took place in the state senate over the
question"
Speaking of the anxiety Of the
special interests to force their bills
Through the legislature when they
learned that an investigation had been
arranged for, Mr.. Gaylord writes:
Naturally enough, those who fear
ed that the agitation and the educa
ton Of the public mind, which must
accompany such an investigation and
report, might tie the bag from which
they had been making such rich grabs
in the past, brought all possible pres
sure to bear upon the standing com
mittee on forestry And they were
ably seconded on the floor by the eff
forts of Senators Brazeau, Bird and
Thomas, who took the lead in the de-
bate. The committee on forestry Sc
leoted two bills, which seemed most
likely to appeal to the good nature of
the senators, to start the ball. And
the chairman of the committee, Sen
atorl Bird frankly confessed that these
were to be 'feelers.' Assemblyman
Bray, member of the joint committee,
also said that to be fair he would have
to vote to recommend the passage Of
all the bills So this was the program
of the committee. But the senate
,thought otherwise and after a vigorous
debate, voted to refer these two bills
to the special committee. -
John Lee Coulter, formerly of the
University Of Wisconsin, denouncing
James A. Patton, the "wheat king
declares that the farmer of the future
must prevent future wheat corners by
controlling the market himself. The
product, he says, should be financed,
stored and marketed by the farmer.
The leading editorial is entitled
Sugar Joker in Payne-Aldrich BILL
hill