The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-09-06


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reclamation service, withdrawn from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
which ought not to be disposed OF as
agricultural lands, tracts amounting
to about 100000 acres. The with
drawals were hastily made and In
Guided q great deal OF land that we.
not useful for power sites. They were
intended to include the power sites on
twcnty-nine rivers in nine states.
since that time 3.475. 442 acres have
been restored for settlement OF the
original 100000, because they do not
contain power sites. and meantime
there have been newly withdrawn
1.24J, S92 acres on vacant public land
and 211.00T acres on entered public
land, or a total OF 1,456s90 acres.
These Withdrawals made from time
TO time cover all the power sites In
Guided IN the first Withdrawals and
many more on 1876 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 a power
found in the statute, has leased a
number Of these power sites IN forest
reserves by revocabIe 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. or course. not
satisfactory one for the purpose OF IN
wiling the capital needed to put in
proper plants for the transmutaton 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
anu ~ 4AAAt AnIAAI 4utANA OuC LUullQls
Whatever the evidence of this or lack
Of it. at present we have had enough
experience 10 know that combination
would be profitable, and the control Of
great number Of power sites would
enable the holders or owners to raise
the price Of power at viii within GER
tain sections, and the temptation
would promptly attract investors, and
The danger Of monopoly would not be a
remote one.
Serious Difficulties.
Serious difficulties 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-
ton and the mere proprietorship of tho
government in the riparian lands
It is contended that through its mere
proprietary right in the site the CEN
trail government las 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 il is q
violation of the states rights. ] ques-
ton the validity OF this objection.
On the otner hand. 1t is contended
that it would relieve complicated
situation If the control Of the water
power site aud the control OF the wa
ter were vested In the same sovereign
~ and ownership--yiz, the states-and
then were disposed OF for devlop-
ment to private lessecs under the re-
strictions needed TO preserve the inter
ests Of the public from the extortions
ard abuses Of monopoly.
Bills In Congress.
Therefore bills have been introduced
in congress providing that whenever
the state authorities deem d water
power useful they may apply to the
government Of the United States for
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
fifty, with provisions in the lease by
which the rental and rates for which
the power is furnished to the public
shall be readjusted at periods less than
the term Of the lease, say every ten
years.
The argument is urgedagainstthisd dis
position of power sites that legislators
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