Albuquerque morning journal., 1910-12-09
COMPROMISE DEAL
ON WATER POWER
IS PLANNED
Conservation Association Com
mittee Would Unite Advo-
Gates of State and Federal
Regulation Policies,
Morning Journal Bureau.
613 Munsey Building,


Washington, D. G., Dec. g.
A plan TO bring together the oppos-
ing advocates of federal regulation of
water power and those who stand for
state regulation. on water power
oolicy upon which both can agree. is
being considered by the executive
committee Of the National Conserva-
ton association. of which Clifford PIN
chot is president.
The object of the plan, which was
lrafted by Philip p. Wells, counsel
for the association, who, as former
law officer of the forest service, had a
large share in devising the system OF
water power regulation in national
forests. is TO afford a water power
platform on which both sides Of the
water power controversy may unite
TO protect the public interest and at
the same time encourage the deVel-
apment of the many millions of horse
power now going to waste in the
mountain streams of the far west and
the great rivers Of the central and
astern parts of the country.
The proposed plan, which is the re-
suit of long and careful study of the
water power question, has been laid
before competent engineers of wide
Experience in water power develop
ment and officers and managers Of
lydro- electric power companies, who
nave criticised it and approved it.
The basis of the plan is develop
nent without delay, waste or the sac
rifice of other and higher uses of
flowing water. For this, the plan holds
private capital must be aided by the
tate or nation through corporate
franchises, condemnation of private
property and licenses to use public
lands and obstruct public waters, etc.
Under the plan the power companies
are to have certainty of tenure for a
reasonable time. and a chance for gen
erous profits upon THEN actual invest
ment For the public, ths plan prom
ises good service, fair prices, fl>ll pub
icity as to cost. honest capitalization
md fair rentals for public property
used by the companies
1t is conceded in the plan hat the
federal government has no Jurisdlctlon
unless its land is to be occupied, OF
navigable rivers affected. Even in such
cases the regulation of service and
prices is to be the function of the
tate, leaving to the national govern
ment the duty of securing prompt
full and orderly development, a rea-
sonable time limit for the leases, pub
|
for federal property used perhaps
paying part Of the proceeds to the
state.
The activities Of the general lane
office during the past month in th'
protection of the public domain
against fraud means that a number o
states are to be raked over with ;
fine-t -toothed comb for violators. Twen
y-seven suits have already been rec
commended against individuals anC
corporations in New Mexico. Alabama
Arkansas, Florida, Idaho. Louisiana
Mississippi and oregon for timber
depredations upon the public domain
and there are a large number to We
be raked in and prosecuted.
A new county, called Greenlee, ha.
been created in the southeast part OF
Arizona, containing the following
postoffices: Blue, Clifton. Duncan
Franklin, Guthrie, Metcalf. Morenci
and Sheldon. This territory, or new
county, was formerly in Graham coun'
ty.
Minnehaha postoffice. Yavapa
county, Arizona. will be discontinued
on the last day of the year. After
that date mail TO Harrington.