The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-09-06


teal conservation. -s
The forest service, under a power
found In the statute. has leased a
number OF these power sites I'm forest
reserves by revocable leases. but no
such power exists with respect 10
mower 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
wiling the capital needed to put In
proper plants for the transmutatlon OF
power.
The subject Is one that calls for new
legislation. IL 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 lack
OF Il. at present we have had enough
experIence 10 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 VIII within GER
tain sections, and the temptation
would promptly attract investors. and
the danger OF monopoly would not be
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 the
government in the riparian lands.
IL Is contended that through its mere
proprietary right In the site the cen
trail government has no power 10 at
tempt TO exercise police jurisdiction
with reference 10 how the water powell
in a river owned and controlled by the
state shall be used and that II II
violation OF the states rights. l ques
ton the validity Of this objection.
On the other hand. 1t Is contendec
that Il would relieve complicated
situation II the control Of the water
power site and the control OF the wa
ter were vested in the same sovereign
~ and ownership-vlz. the states-and
then were disposed OF for devlop
ment TO private lessecs under the re
strictions needed 10 preserve the inter
ests OF the public from the extortions
and abuses Of monopoly.
Bills In Congress.
Therefore hills have been 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 10 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 a con-
dition that the state shall never part
with the title 10 the water power site
or the water power. but shall lease II
only for a term OF years not exceeding
ffty. 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 urged against this dis
position OF power sites that legislators
and state authorities are more subject
TO corporate influence and control than
would be the central government. In
reply II Is claimed that n rcadJustment
Of the terms OF leasehold every ten
years would secure 70 the public and
the state just and equitable terms.
Then II Is said that the state au-
thorities are better able 20 understand
the local need and what Is fair ad-
Justment in the particular locality
than would be the authorities at
Washington.
" has been argued that after the
federal government parts with title 60
power site Il cannot control the ac-
ton Of the state IN fulfilling the con-
ditions of the deed. to which II II
answered that in the grant from the
government there may be easily In
serted a condition specifying the terms
upon which the state may part with
the temporary control OF the water
power sites. and. indeed. the water
power. and providing for a forfeiture
Of the title 20 the water power sites
In case the condition Is not performed.
and giving to the president. IN case
OF such violation OF conditions. the
power 20 declare forfeiture and 10 di
rect proceedings 20 restore the central
government 10 the ownership of the
power sites. with all the improvements
thereon. and that these conditions may
be promptly enforced and the land and
plants forfeited 10 the general gov.
eminent by suit OF the United States
against the state. which IL permits \
sible under the constitution.
do not express an opinion upon the
controversy thus made or prefer |
ence as 20 the two methods OF treating |
water power sites. shall submit the
matter TO congress and urge that one
or the other OF the two plans be
adopted.
o. k.'s Last Administration.
! have referred to the course Of the
last administration and OF the present |