The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1912-02-23

what l have said as to the immediate
need for a government Of much wider
powers than now exists there, If 1t
can be said to have any government
at all.
Lower Colorado River.
There is transmitted herewith a
letter from the Secretary of the In
terror setting out the work done un-
der joint resolution approved June rs.
1910, authorizing the expenditure OF
81 900, 900, or so much thereof as
might be necessary, to be expended
by the President for the purpose or
protecting lands and property in the
Imperial valley and elsewhere along
he Colorado river in Arizona. The
money was expended and the protec-
tive works erected, but h disturb
ances in Mexico SO delayed the work.
and the floods in the Colorado river
were so extensive that a part OF the
works have been carried away. and
h need for further action II eX-
penditure of money exists.
Water.Power Sites.
In previous communications to Con
gress | have pointed out two methods
by which the waterpower sites on
non-nayigable streams may be con-
trOlled as between the state and the
national government. 1t has seemed
wise that the control should be con-
centrated in one government or the
other as the active participant in
supervising it's use by private enter
prise.
The Secretary of the Interior has
suggested another method by which
the water-pOwer site shall be leased
directly by the government to those
who exercise a public franchise UNI
der provisions imposing a rental for
the water power to create a FUND to
be expended by the general govern
ment for the Improvement of the
stream and the benefit OF the local
community where the power site is.
and permitting the state to regulate
the rates at which the converted
power is sold. The latter method sug-
gested by the Secretary is a more
direct method for Federal control,
and in view OF the probable union
and systematic organization and weld
ing together of the power derived
from water within a radius of 800 or
400 miles. | think it better that the
power of control should remain in
the national government than that
it should be turned Over to the states,
Under such a system the Federal gov
eminent would have such direct su'
pervision of the whole matter that
any honest administration could cas-.
lily prevent the abuses which a monop
oily Of absolute ownership in private
persons or companies would make
possible.
Fol- some years past the high and
steadily increasing cost OF living has
been a matter Of such grave public
concern that | deem it of great public
interest that an international confer
ence be proposed at this time for the
purpose of preparing plans. to be sub
mitted to the various governments, To-
an international inquiry into the higf
cost of living. its extent, causes, Ell
fects, and possible remedies. | there
fore recommend that, to enable tn
president to invite foreign govern
mcntS to such a conference, to be heit
at Washington or elsewhere, the con
press provide an appropriation. not t
exceed $40, 600, 20 defray the expense
Of preparation and of participation b.
the United States.
Commission IN Industrial Relations
The extraordinary growth OF indus
try in the past two decades n it
revolutionary changes have raised ne1
and vital questions a. TO the relation
between employers and wage Garner
which have become matters Of press
ing public concern. Industrial rels
lions concern The public for a doubt
reason. We are directly interested i
the maintenance of peaceful and st;
Bile Industrial conditions fer the SAX
of our own comfort and w~eli-being
but society is equally interested, in it
effectively civic capacity, in seein
that our institutions are effectivei
maintaining Justice and fair dealin
between any classes of citizens who's
economic interests may seem I
clash.
The MAGNITUDE and completely
modern industrial disputes have pl
upon some of our statutes Il OF
presen mechanism for adjusting sue
lifferenceS-Wherc we can be said
have any mechanism at ALA stla
they were ne\ef intended to hear ar
!, for which they are unSui1ed. What
urgently needed to day is a le-eXan