The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-09-09


national congress. They can be held
responsible to their constituents. If
national control is exercised then all
the water power projects in all the
states will come under review of con-
gress. 1t would be impossible for each
enterprise to receive proper attention
even If congress We're in continuous
session. 1t would be like a tariff bill.
where each congressman seeks to pro-
/ tect the interests of his constituents
and would lead to omnibus" legisla-
tion which is unsatisfactory generally.
Fourth-lt really is question of
Home Rule and ought to be left to
those who are more directly affected
by the proposed improvements. Let the
home people and no Others determine as
! TO benefits or damages.
! Fifth-Each state should legislate
/ for itself, being careful to not infringe
upon those powers reserved to the gem
eral government under the constitu-
ton, but putting all natural resources
under strict surveillance
States Rights"
The question of states rights" will
thus present itself i'm new form. in
deed it is now at the front" and is
demanding and receiving the earnest
attention of the people. Where the
federal government is not exercising
control and protecting these natural re-
sources, that belong to the pepole. the
states should assert and exercise con
troll. All water belongs to the people
(same as air and sunsnine) and at no
time should the law leave these rights
OF the people, as against monopoly i'm
every form. unprotected. The several
states can work out their own peculiar
problems better than the general gov
eminent.
Cooperation
There should be. and doubtless will
be. co-Opera ton between the federal
and state governments as to all i'm
provements that will affect navigation
and commerce. Where the title to
lands that surround water power or
are adjacent thereto and are necessary
TO its development. is still vested in
the United States they should. under
some proper restrictions. be conveyed
III trust to the state Thereaf ter the
state should control and prescribe con
ditions under which development can be
prosecuted-the state retaining control
The Conservation Congress.
The Conservation congress now in
session in st. Paul will be confronted
with these questions. Advocates of
each policy will present their views and
it will occupy. directly. or indirectly.
the front boards on the stage.
One good result to be hoped for is
that it will help to fix public opinion
and so formulate public sentiment that
congress at its next session aud vari-
Gus state legislatures will be ready to
act. and to take such measures as will
best protect the natural resources of
the country
The legislature of Minnesota will
probably pass Il law Tor laws) at its
next session whereby it assert owner
ship and control over all the waters.
lakes. reservoirs and streams within its
boundary not reserved to the federal
government, and provides for future
control thereof. 1t should also. and
doubtless will, provide the machinery
in some form by which our water re-
sources may be fully and accurately
ascertained and developed as needed.
The Pollution of Water.
Legislation is also needed to stop the
corruption and pollution of all waters
in Minnesota Tie present system of
sewering from all villages. towns and
cities into the nearest stream should
be stopped, and be provided for bv more
sanitary methods.
Ohio has a commission now aft work
investigating plans Ito prevent the po-
luton of the Ohio river The leois
lature of Ohio has invited the cooper
alton OF Pennsylvania, West Virginia
and Kentucky, to take like action
which has already been done. or will
be done in the near future.
Constitutional Amendment
10 make any considerable headwav
IN the direction indicated. the consti.
tuition OF Minnesota will need to be
amended so that some money can he
expended in the way of internal i'm
provements' and for such work as will
protect areas of land from overflow in
seasons of high water and floods. and
AID navigation in dry seasons.
Profitable to the State.
II any reliances can be placed i'm the
estimates of losses caused by overflow
IN seasons of flood, then it certainly
would be profitable for the state to
take such steps as would result i'm
minimum losses. If building state
reservoirs and dams will accomplish
such results, then it should be done.
Before large expenditures are entered
upon. careful preliminary surveys bv
the most competent and expert engi.
neers should be made and the real facts
should he ascertained: not act ON
guess work. Dams have been suggest
ed and various canals. drains and reser.
voirs which look feasible and NAV pos
sess great merit but only detailed s,Ir
veys and accurate observations can
determine these questions with Ger
tainty. Get the foundation facts first