The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1913-02-26
A DESPERATE LEGISLATIVE PROP
oSITIoN.
Bill To Grab The Entire Water System
Of The State Is Introduced In
The Senate.

In the Senate OF Pennsylvania has be en-
introduced bill which has for its pur-
pose the reorganization of the Salae Water
Commission and which Is without doubt
the most far-resching aud wthall the
most vicious In its provisions OF any
proposition ever set before a legislative
body. II provides Tor the placing of the
entire water system of the state In the
hands Of the water commission, which is
composed Of five persons. any three OF
whom, majority, can act on all matters
pertaining to their rights or duties, and
whose acts shall he binding on the whole
board. All the streams, rivers, creeks,
springs aud sources Of water supply are
under the commissions control alb
soluey. THIS commission OF five per-
sons (or any three of them, for that mat
teri is given the power uuder this bill to
grant the right OF eminent domain to any
private corporation, a power which for
years was exercised only by railroads,
and then under certain restrictions. With
a charter under this law any corporation
could condemn and take property wher-
ever, whatever aud whenever 1t so desired,
paying for only such damages rs the
ordinary condemnation proceedings
might set.
The building OF great dams for power
development Is provided for 10 the bill,
and the taking over OF any stream, great
or small for the mere asking would be
possible under its provisions. Could
greater inequity be conceived in the
minds of men?
This Is the bill which the water power
grabbers are waiting for. Under it the
rape of the rivers and creeks OF the state
will begin at once. Could the right of
eminent domain have been granted here
toiore, we have no doubt but that the
hideous dams proposed in this section
would have already been under way.
We read much in the state press about
other forms of iniquitous legislation that
must be stopped or watched at Harris
burg this winter, but not one word in
condemnation of this gigantic outrage.
going on, but most OF the big daily
papers are not ignorant of the provisions
OF this outrageous bill Will they keep
silence and let it go through?
God forbid that such law should ever
be fastened upon the people OF Pennsyl-
vsnis!
Speaking of this bill the Titusville
Herald says:
This legislation is of particular inter-
est TO this section nf the state, in view of
tue euOTts 10 uhn lDe llODeSta Creek ana
the Clarion River, which have been Wig
orously opposed. Should the McNichols
bill became law IL will wi Q out the
present Water Supply commission, and
substitute tho State Water mission,
with enlarged powers, duties and author
ity oyer the water courses, water compa-
nies, etc OF this stale. This bill is sweep
ing in character, but looks like legisla
tion that Is needed to prevent whole sale
raid upon the water power resources of
the state"
We desire to call the Herald's attention
TO the TACT that "a raid upon the water
power resources" is the very intent of
this iniquitous bill, and under it the raid
will be on at once. But under the law as
II now stands no raid can be made for the
reason that the power to grant the right
OF eminent domain is denied the present
State Water Supply commission.