Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1913-07-11
RECEIVES
WATER POWER BILL
MEASURE FATHERED BY SPECIAL
COMMITTEE ON coNsERvA-
TON is INTRODUCED.
RAIL BOARD GIVEN CONTROL
Bill Provides That Franchises for Wa
ter Powers Shall Be Granted Only
to Corporations Under Public utiI-
ity Law--Frsnchise Runs 80 Years,

Madison senate has received
from the special committee on con.
servation the long expected water
power bill.
The bill authorizes the railroad com
mission to make complete hydro,
graphic survey of all navigable waters
and the filing of records and plate Of
such waters; also to inspect developed
and undeveloped river improvements,
and TO make a complete investigation
of existing dams, franchises and per-
mits, and reports with recommends.
tons. Dam sites are to be approved
by the railroad commission, which, in
the interest of navigation and other
public rights is to regulate the level
and flow of water in all navigable wa
tiers in the state; to investigate the
best means of construction, equip
ment and operations of dams.
Under Public Utilities Act.
Owners of franchises are given all
rights and are subject to all duties inn
posed upon public utilities Approval
of the commission is required for
changes in dams. the commission is to
investigate and compel repairs and
means of safeguarding the health, and
life of the people.
Franchise to Run Thirty Years.
After thirty years the state or any
municipality may take over all prop
erty of the grantee of the franchise,
paying for the power site and other
lands used, the value at the time of
the issuing of the franchise exclusive
of any water power value, in addition
to the value of the improvements at
the time of taking over. The state
or municipality may take over all
property prior to the thirty years by
paying full compensation for all prop.
erty taken at the time of the taking,
but there shall be no compensations
for the franchises.
No franchise shall become effective
until written acceptance is filed by
the applicant.
The state reserves the right at any.
time after thirty years to impose a;
compensatory fee to be expended In
the Improvement of navigation. Fran
cilises issued for developments under
$50 horsepower are conditioned on
the aid of the improvement of naviga
ton and in the interest of life, health
and property of citizens The fran:
chises for small developments contain
a clause reserving to the Legislature
the right wholly to amend or napaaJ
the.same at airy time ~
To.defray- the expenses Of inspecting
and supervising the dams an annual
fee Of not to s&eeed 10 cents per horse
power shall be charged, with a mini
mum fee of $40 for any one dam.
Corporation May Levy Tolls.
Corporations organized under this
act have all the powers, rights and
duties of river improvement compan-
les and may charge tolls.
All dams heretofore or hereafter
maintained across navigable streams
without legislative permission are de-
clared to be nuisances and may be
abated.
Dams are divided into two classes
Those having capacity of over $50
horsepower, and those having a capa-
city of $50 horsepower or less, and
franchises are granted to corporations
for the purpose of making develop
ments of ESQ or more horsepower, and
to any person, firm or domestic cor
poration for the purpose of making
developments of less than $50 horse
power In the larger developments,
applicants must maintain a complete
accounting system. agree to improve
navigation. to fully develop all avail.
able power, and provide for a pref.
erential right for the use of power
within the state and in proximity to
the location
Cities Given Advantages.
Municipalities are given exceptional
advantages with rights almost equal
to the rights reserved by the state for
TIL.