The Washington times., 1913-11-20
CRISIS IS REACHED
OVER POWER FIGHT
Conservation Congress Future
Depends on Report to Be
Made Late Today.

Whether the breach among the
conservatiorists is to be healed, or
whether it is to be widened to an
extent that threatens to rend the Ma
tional Conservation Congress asun-
der, depends upon the report on the
water power question made by the
resolutions committee late today.
When word came from the resolu-
tions committee room today that an
.'innocuous" resolution was to be re-
turned, leaders in the anti-monopoly
faction served notice on the commit
tee that unless a set of strong reso-
lutions was reported the fight would
be taken to the floor of the conven-
ton.
Would Ask Substitute.
Leaders in the movement who have
been backing Mr. Pinchot in his fight
declared that If an attempt should be
made to return a ''wishy-washy'' re-
port by the committeeS the minority re-
port Of the water power committee,
signed by Clifford Pinchot. Henry L.
Stimson, and Joseph ". Teal would be
placed before the congress as a sub
stitute and its adoption urged.
And II that happens the minority re-
port will be adopted" was the declara-
ton The resolutions committee may
be packed by the water power crowd,
but the convention is backing MIR.
Pinchot."
The members of the Pinchot faction
demand emphatically that the congress
20 on record with a strong anti-monop-
oily plank. The ma jority of the water
power committee take the position that
monopoly in water power is not much
to be feared, as there are adequate
means of regulation. Mr.. Pinchot and
his friends insist that here is the
gravest danger. Better, they say, that
water power development should be de-
layed for years than that the huge
water power combine, which now con-
trolls most of the power projects under
development, should extend its power
and gain a complete monopoly. The
growth of the monopoly can be checked
now, they assert, but not unless the
friends of conservation take a firm
position now and hold it.
Tried To Report Once.
The subcommittee Of the resolutions
committee having the water power mat
ter in hand was ready to report this
morning, but the body went back in
session again after they learned the
temper Of the anti-monopoly delegates,
and still are considering the report.
While waiting for action on the water
~ f.n-r
over to the forestry section, and mas
much as the forestry fights have been
settled and won by the Federal regu-
lationists, the sessions of this section
were peaceful.
Rumors heard about the hall that the
sbsence of Secretary OF State Bryan and
the refusal of President Wilson to ap-
near before the convention was being
construed in the light OF a snub, brought
an emphatic protest from DR.. George &.
Condra, Of Lincoln. Neb.. member or
the executive committee. who was chair
man Of the committee which invited the
President
president Wilson's heart is in this
work" he said from the platform. but
he Is worn down by worry and work
the committee did not press its request
for him to attend. Secretary Bryan also
was unable to come today. but his stand
on conservation is well known"
Officers To Be Chosen.
Dr. Condra is chairman Of the nomi-
nations committee which will report a
liet of officers tn the convention this
afternoon E. Lee Worsham, of At
lanta. Ga. at present chairman OF the
executive committee, is the PROBABLE
choice of the committee for president.
Dr. Charles r. Van Hise and Walter /.