Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-07-10
SENATE RECEIVES
WATER POWER BILL
MEASURE FATHEREO BY SPECIAL
COMMITTEE ON CONSERVA-
TON IS INTRODUCED.
Rail BOARD GIVEN CONTROL
Bill Provides That Franchises fer Wa
ter Powers Shall Be Granted Only
TO Corporations Under Public Util-
fty Law-Franchise Runs 80 Years

Madison.-The senate has received
from the special committee on con
KerYation the long expected water
power bill
The bill authorizes the railroad com
mission to make a 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
snits, and reports with recommends
lions. 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 nayigable wa
tiers in the state; to investigate the
best means of construction. equip,
snent 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
so 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
Brty taken at the time of the taking
for the franchises.
No franchise shall become effective
until a written acceptance Is filed by
Ihe applicant
The state reserves the rigat at any
time after thirty years to impose a
compensatory fee to be expended in
the Improvement of navigation Fran
Chises issued for developments under
$50 horsepower are conditioned on
the aid OF the improvement OF naviga-
tion 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 repeal
The same at any time.
To defray the expenses of inspecting
and supervising the dams al annual
fee of not to exceed 10 cents per horse
power shall be charged, with q mini
mum fee OF $40 for any one datG.
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 navigabie streams
without legislative permission are de-
clared to BE nuisances ana ma. be
abated
Dams are divided into two classes.
Those having a capacity OF over go
horsepower, and those having i capa-
city of ESQ horsepower or less, and
franchises are granted to corporations
for the purpose of making develop
ments of $50 or more horsepower. and
to any person. firm or domestic cor
poration for the purpose OF making
developments of less than Z53 horse
power. In the larger Developments,
applicants must maintain a complete
accounting system, agree to Improve
navigation, to fully develop al avail
able power. and provide for a pref
erential right for the use Of power
within the state and in proximity to
she location.
Cities Given Advantages.
municipalities are given exceptional
advantages with rights almost equal
TO the rights reserved by the state for
itself They have the same privilege
Rs The state in the right to take over
the larger developments upon tue ad-
vantageous terms reserved to the
state. In the case of extraordinary
calamity, allowances are made for ex-
tensions of the periods within which
the state may take over the properties