The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-08-07
GOVERNORS COMING
HERE FOR MEETING
Executives of Mountain and
Coast States Will Discuss
Conservation.
TAX ON POWER PLANTS?
WHERE WOULD REVENUE GO
IF MEASURE PASSED?

A conference OF the governors of
the coast and mountain states 10 be
held at Salt Lake within the next
three weeks TO discuss the conserva-
ton question as it applies to the
west, is the plan of Governor NJ. Z.
Hay OF Washington. which is sup
ported by Governor William Spry and
other chief executives. Governor
Brooks of Wyoming and Governor
Norris OF Montana have already
Joined in endorsing the movement,
while Governor ShafrOth of Colorado
suggests that the conference be held
at Denver and that all governors of
states west OF the Mississippi be
asked TO join in the conference. Gov
ernor Gillett of California is nom
committal on the subject SO far and
up 10 last night no word had been
received from the governors OF the
other states in the west.
Before National Congress.
Governor Spry said last night that
the movement was one in which the
western states most interested in the
question proposed to discuss con-
servatiOn matters on a broad basis
before the meeting Of the National
Conservation congress at St Paul in
September
The plan was outlined in a letter
written by Governor Hay OF Wash
ington last week" said Governor
Spry. II telegraphod Governor Hay
Immediately. saying | was in accord
with the general plan of the move
ment, and assuring him that should
the governors come 10 salt Lake the
city and state would be proud to en-
terrain them for the conference.
Governor Hays idea is that the
question of conservation of natural
resources is one in which the west is
most vitality interested. and he be-
lieves that it is imperative that the
governors OF the western states come
10 an understanding on the PROPOSE
ton SO that We shall be able TO pre-
sent a united front in the discussion
of questions that will come up before
the National Conservation congress
There Is a sentiment indicating
that the people OF the east. or some
of them at least, are showing a dis
position to override the rights of the
west in this conservation matter, &C
cOTding 10 Governor Hay. In his let
ter he calls attention 10 the attitude
OF some OF the eastern men who have
a bill before Congress that would al
low the federal government to impose
a tax Of 25 cents a horsepower on all
Of the natural power plant of the
western states On the other hand
the people Of the west believe that if
any such tax is imposed the revenue
should go TO the state in which the
tax is levied. Such a law would mean
that the state OF Washington would
be compelled to contribute something
like t1.25O.0 600 a year TO the eX-
penses of the general government in
this manner. OF course, Utah is not |
as vitality interested In the water |
power proposition as some OF the other
states OF the west. but we are inter /
ested in the coal and iron resources !
and, TO some slight extent, in the lum-
Der conservation.
Wants Concerted Action.
Governor Hay feels that il would |
be a good thing for the representa- /
tives Of the western states 10 be able /
10 present a plan for concerted action. /
ana that organization will be most |
effective il it is hoped 10 keep the /
revenues from natural resources at /
home where they belong The con- |
vention, l am sure, ought to result in !
much good"
Governor Spry said last night that /
Governor Hay had promised TO keep /
him informed as to the progress OF I
for the convention, but /
up TO last night he had received no /
further word from him.
InnFFnHH RI IInFn mi InF !