The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1912-03-20
The Water Charters,

Thos. M. Jones, Harrisburg CORES
pondent of the Derrick, sends the follow
ing special under date of March 13. Mr..
Jones is right on the ground and knows
what be is writing about, being one o the
Oldest and most reliable newspaper coz
respondents in the state:
The rape of the Clarion river by the l3
water power companies whose appica.
tions for charters were yesterday ap-
proved by the State Water Supply Com
mission. is not going to be accomplished
without vigorous resistance on the part
of people residing along the stream whose
properties will be affected injuriously.
Ex Congressman Wheeler, who was here,
said that II is possible the Government
will be appealed to in the matter and that
damming river may be mighty serious
thing for any corporation especial y when
1t is regarded by the Government as a
navitable stream. The announcement
was made that these new water power
companies will be subject to certain re-
strictions which they must agree to be-
fore they are chartered That is rather
vague way of putting it. There are laws
governing the conduct of water power
plants, and the Water Supply Comnis-
sion is not throwing dust in anybody's
eyes by intimating that it is going to do
something to preserve property that is of
its own initiative. When the companies
get their charters they can snap their
fingers In the faces of the complaisant
members OF the commission, and tell
them to keep of the grass.
Inquiry to-day concerning these re-
strictions led to the information that they
are engineering restrictions for the safety
OF lives, property, etc., along the stream"
1t was also said that the charters will be
made so as to meet the objections of the
people, and will not be sent to the Secre-
tary of the Commonwealth and the
Governor until all these minor matters
have been worked out.
1t is rumored, on pretty good founds-
tion, that the five charters for water
power companies along the Tionests
creek, which were held under advisement
by the commission, will be permitted to
die without action, and the proposed raid
on the water of the creek will not be ap-
proved. Congressman Wheeler and
T. F. Ritchey, of Tlonesta, made vigorous
protests before the meeting of the COM
mission against chartering the proposed
companies, and in this they were joined
by George W. Kehr, of the Pennsylvania
Civic association, who protested on gen.
eral principles, and in the interest of con-
servation. Mr.. Kebr is the private secre.
tary of J. Horace MacFarland, president
of the National Civic association.
The charters approved by the commits.
sion have yet to pass the scrutiny of
Governor Tener and it may be that be
cannot be so easily prevsiled upon to
view them with favorable eye as the
Water Supply commission did.
In this connection the following dis.
patch from Washington, under date OF
18th inst, is of interest to our people:
"Senators Oliver and Penrose and Repre-
sentative Speer have undertaken to assist
the citizens interested in preventing the
granting of charters tor dsmming Clsr-
ion river and Tionesta creek, in Pennsyl-
yania. Senators Oliver and Representa-.
tive Speer have taken the matter up with
Governor Tener, while Senator Penrose
has carried it to the War Department TO
see what can be DONE"