Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1912-12-16
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~ the government.
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Washington, D. c.. Dec. ia de
finite and comprehensive waterpowel
policy for streams upon The public do
main and navigable streams not on
the public domain, is urged by the sec
retary of the interior, Walter l.. Fish
er, as the most important subject
pending before congress and the
country, in his annual report submit
ted today to President Taft.
, Other legislation which Secretary
Fisher recommends as important &c
the welfare of the country embodies
an enlarged application of the leasing
principle as applied to the public do
main in general; a comprehensive
leasing law. for coal. oil and other
mineral lands: and laws providing
for the classification of public lands
according to their respective charac-
teristics and appropriate uses and ad-
ministration in accordance Herewith.
Secretary Fisher also declared in ia
vor Of Legislation for the development
CT the transportation facilities and the
coal lands Of Alaska, and for the
withdrawal from entry Of public lands
in the west needed to conserve the
water supply at the source of streams
He recommends the retirement and
pensioning of the civil employees OF
1,n Sc l.
mendations are in renewal and EN-
phasis of those made in his previous
annual report.
AS to water-power policy, he says
that it must be made certain that
those who receive especial privileges
connected with water-power develop,
ment shall in fact proceed by appro-
PIRATE degrees and within appropriate
times to develop the available water
power to its highest capacity, having
due regard to the possibilities of mar,
keting the product
I'VE must make certain" he con-
tinues. that the electric energy thus
created shall be made available to the
community in appropriate ways at ap-
prices. If it is not to be used
is to be devoted directly to the private
purposes and personal advantages OF
the permittee, some method must be
found by which the public will receive
its share of the profits which the per
nttee may make over and above tina
which is a necessary and reasonable
nducement for his investment.
The present law" he asserts. mel
her promotes development nor pro
,ects the public interest in an effective
cipally to the fact that a permit is
revocable at any time and without
specific reason He calls it ser
Gus and unjustifiable obstacle to the
and utilization OF one
ii the nations greatest natural re-
,ources. He declared that conditions
iould be defined by statute on which
permits should be issued and only for
preach OF which they should be can.
;elled.
rol of water power concessions on
.treams which are navigable. the sec
etary says; The suggestion is made
frequently by those who are in one
way or another representing either
present or future investment in water
,ower development that such power
ties and their control should be turn
e over to the respective states in
,hich they are located 1t is interest
nS to note, however. that the ordinary
itizens of those states are not at all
over federal usurpation or
Unjust treatment.
They suspect that the real purpose
If those who urge the turning over
ii the federal domain TO the states is
hat they may escape the longer and
stronger arm OF the federal govern
ment and may take advantage Of the