Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1913-09-19
AS TO WATER POWER COMPANIES.

AS TO WATER POWER COMPANIES
The Hampshire Review this week contains very
lengthy and able editorial the The Public Ser
vice Commission Trial in connection with the APP
pacations OF several hydroeeetc power companies for
permission to build dams the streams
the state for the purpose of gecctns eiccaicity which
they expect to place the market
This is Of the questions now confronting
the people of West Virginia, because if means to them
The takiHs AWAY their Qt resource and olac
ing in jeopardy their lives and property Ana it is well
that the State Legislature has enacted law creating
the Public Service Commission, placing it in control
After discussing the question at length, the Review
gives the credit for the opposition to State Tax Com
missioner Fred o. Blue because he has come the
front and registered such vigorous protest that all
facts in the must be presented the Commission
before definite action be taken.
The Review should remember that Mr. Blue has ex-
perenced change Of heart since this law was enacted
Last winter when the attorneys, representing the
ent hydro-eecrie companies appeared at Charleston
With their bill that he placed upon it his official
prevail and advocated its passage, which meant he
sired the legislature TO pass the bill without amendment
and the giving away Of every available site power
dams in the State and the losing to the people their
rights of protection from this of income.
When this niquitious bill presented 10 the legs
lature eleven senators saw at once what it They
declared that should such a bill be enacted INTO law
there would be repetitons OF disasters such other
would have unlimited power and their rights could
he infringed upon. The senators demanded this:
Frst-That the State should have the right to con
troll the construction and location of all dams the ma
terial to be used in such construction well
formation which such construction should be made
and that the property lives OF the people should given
every protection.
Seeond-That the State should have the right to lay
other than property under the Dawson system
of tion
~ no taxes as the basis of that taxation is what it
would bring if sold
Adherng strictly to the policy that the peoples rights
first be protected these eleven senators fought
their battle ana They placed upon these power
companies tax which is right, and which the Re
view objects; but finally says should be paid
that is the law. We would like to inquire why the
power companies should not be required to pay a tax?
Many other corporations in the escaped taxation
for years, and tine result they became mbued with
the idea that they should not be taxed FINALLY they
taxed but not paying their equal and just share
To allow the water power companies escape taxation
would be simply giving them unlimited rights and pow
and with which they could proceed with their work
and cause their Investments to yield handsome divt
dends without paying for the privileges they would
JOY while endangering life and property.
One of the Objectionable features in the bin was
giving the water power companies not only the right
build and maintain dams but the right to condemn
property 100 feel in width beyond their lines Dur
ing a drought this wond rob all towns and municipal
ties OF their rights and cause the streams TO become
practicauy worthless Yet MT Blue argued this should
be done. But the Democratic senators said
AT this time there are seven very valuable sites in
the State They be found the Cheat Tygarts
Valley New and kanaWha rivers. To take them from
the people and give them the power companies
SIMPLY the transfer Of thousands OF dollars worth
Of property without returns
1t would be well for the Review 10 give this Law