Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-05

railroad territory generally would ex
haust the oil in the government land;
hence it is important that If the gov
eminent is to have its share of the oil
it should begin the opening and devel-
opment Of wells on Its own property.
In view of the joint ownership
which the government and the adjoin-
ing landowners like the Southern Pa
cifc railroad have in the oil reservoirs
below the surface, 1t is a most inter
esting and intricate question, difficult
Of solution, but one which ought to adj
dress itself at once to the state law
makers how far the state legislature
might impose appropriate restrictions
to secure an equitable enjoyment OF
the common reservoir and to prevent
waste and excessive drainage by the
various owners having access to this
reservoir.
Water Power Sites.
Prior to March 4, 1909, there had
been, on the recommendation of the
reclamation service, withdrawn from
agricultural entry, because they were
regarded as useful for power sites
agricultural lands, tracts amounting
to about 100000 acres. The with
drawals were hastily made and in
Guided great deal Of land that was
not useful for power sites. They were
intended to include the power sites on
twenty-nine rivers in nine states.
Since that time 3,475,4f2 acres have
been restored for settlement of the
original 100000, because they do not
contain power sites. and meantime
there have been newly withdrawn
1,245,S92 acres on vacant public land
and 211,007 acres on entered public
land, or a total of 1,456,S acres.
These Withdrawals made from time
to time cover all the power sites in
cluded in the first Withdrawals and
many more on 135 rivers and in eleven
states.
The disposition of these power sites
involves one OF the most difficult ques-
lions presented in carrying out prac-
teal conservation.
The forest service, under q power
found in the statute, has leased q
number Of these power sites in forest
reserves by revocable leases, but no
such power exists with respect to
power sites that are not located with
in forest reserves, and the revocable
system of leasing is, of course. not a
satisfactory one for the purpose of in
viting the capital needed to put I'm
proper plants for the transmutation of
power.
The subject is one that calls for new
legislation. 1t has been thought that
there was danger Of combination to OBJ
tain possession of all the power sites
and to unite them under one control
Whatever the evidence of this or luck
Of it, at present we have had enough
experience to know that combination
would be profitable, and the control OF
a great number of power sites would
enable the holders or owners to raise
the price OF power at will within Ger.
tain sections, and the temptation
would promptly attract investors, and
The danger OF monopoly would not be
remote one.
Serious Difficulties
Serious difncul,ies are anticipated by
some in such an attempt on the part
of the general government because of
the sovereign control of the state over
the water power in its natural condi-
tion and the mere proprietorship of the
government in the riparian lands.
1t is contended that through its mere
proprietary right in the site the CEN
trail government has no power to at
tempt to exercise police Jurisdiction
with reference To how the water power
In river owned and controlled by the
state shall be used and that it IS a
violation of the states rights. / ques-
ton the validity of this objection.
On the other hand, it is contended
that 1T would relieve a complicated
situation If the control Of the water
power site and the control of the wa
ter were vested in the same sovereign
ty and ownership--viz, the states-and
then were disposed of for devlop-
ment to private lessees under the re-
strictions needed to preserve the inter
ests of the public from the extortions
and abuses of monopoly.
Bills in Congress
Therefore Dil.s haze ptUu introduced
In congress providing that whenever
the state authorities deem a water
power useful they may apply to the
government of the United States for a
grant to the state of the adjacent
land for a water power site and. that
this grant from the federal govern
ment to the state shall contain con-
dition that the state shall never part
with the title to the water power site
or the water power. but shall lease 1t
only for a term of years not exceeding