Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1910-01-24
POWER DEVELOP
MENT on STREAMS
Report of National Water
ways Commission TO
Congress
AFFECTS THE WEST VITALITY
Tax on Projects and Time Limit
Within Which They Must
Be Completed.
to the New Mexican.

Special to the New Mexican.
Washington. D. c.. Jan. 24.-The
nomination of Robert S. Fesher to be
postmaster at Fort Bayard, Grant
county, was sent to the Senate today.
Report of National Waterways Com
mission.
Almost every section of the country
will find subjects of local, as well as
general interest, in the preliminary
report of the national waterways COM
mission, submitted to Congress today.
This preliminary report recon-
mends a general plan of conservation
of water power, with the shaping Of
projects in the light of future needs of
streams; resort to federal and state
legislation rather than unnecessary
channel improvement merely to force
reduction of railroad freight rates
with inhibition on the other hand of
manipulation of such rates to freeze
out water competition; uniform sys-
tenn of distribution ofAcost of water
ways Improvement between federal,
state and local government; advance
of multiplication of ports; restriction
of dam construction permits; inau-
guration of such waterway projects
only as can be completed within a
i reasonable time; a federal tax on pow
er furnished to consumers; reserva-
ton by the government of the right to
alter Or repeal power grants.
| The commission holds that the fed
eral government has no proprietary
right of interest in navigable waters,
which would authorize the collection
| of tolls. 1t believes that each con-
sent to construct a dam should pro-
vide that the grantee, when ever nee
essary to subserve navigation inter-
/ ests, NUT construct and furnish power
! for lock suited to the locality and to
! probable traffic development.
| Power development at government
| dams for navigation or irrigation pur-
| poses should be utilized and adequate
| ly charged for.
The commission recommends that
before the granting of rights to con-
struct dams in any navigable stream,
the whole stream, or at least such
part as will be affected by the pro-
posed construction should be survey
ed: that, if constitutional authority
therefor exists the grants should au-
thorize the secretary of the war or
other officials to regulate the charge
for the power furnished consumers
and should expressly reserve to Con-
grees the right to alter, amend or
repeat.
Will Lower Railroad Rates.
While not denying the tendency of
river improvements to lower railroad
rates the commission holds it undesir-
able to eXpend money upon river chan
nels solely for this effect on rates.
The fundamental criterion it says
it be railway or waterway
when constructed or improved, will
be a profitable investment. Pointing
out that the railways have temper
arily reduced rates and continued
them upon a lower basis until com
peting water lines have been driven
out of business, the commission
: recommends that when rate is once
reduced by a railroad the rate should
not be permitted to be raised again
unless, after hearing by the interstate
commerce commission, or other com
petent body, it should be found that
:. such proposed increase rests upor
changed conditions other than the
, elimination or decrease of water com
: petition. The most essential require
} ment for their rehabilitation of water
4 traffic is asserted to be the establish
| ment of harmonious relations be
tween railways and water lines. II
practically every case of water route!
Il the boats are operated, the repor
/ says, in connection and in harmon.
y with railway lines. The commission
a believes transportation facilities will
J. be staill further promoted by compel
i ing joint rates and pro-rating agree
/ ments, through bills of lading, ant
a physical connection between rail AM
e water terminals.