Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-01-22
SAVE THE WATER RIGHTS.

THE timber statistics of the United
States show that nine men own
one-seventh of all the timber in
the United States, and that 80 men
own two-fifths Of it, or twice as much
as all the timber in Oregon, which
is credited with having one-fifth OF
all available timber in this country
This is a state of affairs devoutly not
to be wished for. However, 1t Is
condition realized thing accom-
plished and there is no use in crying
about or discussing it, for the milk
is spilled. 1t shows, though how cas-
lily the peoples property, that Is the
governments, can be acquired and
when once acquired, the people, the
original owners, can be made to pay
any price the present owners see tit
to charge, for that which was their
own and for which practically no con-
slderation was paid.
It is proper though to call atten-
ton to this condition, to point out
the manner in which we have al
lowed our timber to slip out Of our
possession, and to see that the same
fate does not overtake our remaining
possessions. Here in Oregon we have
not only the greatest body Of timber,
though IL is now largely owned pri-
vately, in the United States, but we
also have the most magnificent
waterpower. This power Is very con-
servatively estimated at 3,OOO,OOO,COO
horsepower. 1t Is probably nearer
5,OOOOOO0 and this magnificent prop
erty which we should keep free for
the dse OF the generations to come
after us is rapidly going the way
of the timber, being claimed and M
propriated by privates individual
and companies. The process Is SIM
pie. About all a company or an In
dividual has to do is TO file on 1t,
claim 1t as theirs, and 1t Is done.
This waterpower, while not now in
demand will some time be worth at
least one dollar per week per horse
power, or $50 q year. The time will
come when every bit Of 1t will be in
demand and used. 1t will then pro
duce for the private owner" II we
permit It to be appropriated from
$150,O0O,OO0 to $25O,OOO,OOO a year.
The time will come when ii will have
20 produce the light and heat for
those who come after US, as we'll as
the power for their factories. Would
1t not we we'll to at least begin to
throw some safeguards around 1t?
True, the power should be used for
present needs, but this can be done
without the state parting with It's
rights. Let the rights for power pur-
poses be leased, say on 5O-year terms
the state collecting rental for the use
Of and retaining the right to fix new
terms at the expiration Of the lease.
This would permit the use at small
expense now, and provide for in
creased charges and larger monies
in the future, rs the demand In
creased II would also keep in the
hands Of the state the right to regu-
late prices, at which power must be
furnished TO consumers.
This would prove doubly beneficial,
providing revenue and protecting the
consumer, the manufacturer, and as
It now appears, every person in the
state, in the years to come when fuel
becomes scarce, and the waterpower
now going to waste will be harnessed
and made to light and warm our
buildings. 1t would seem the part
of wisdom for this legislature to take
some steps towards protecting the
peoples rights in this vast property.
The stable should be locked and the
sooner the better. We have lost out
vast wealth Of timber, and we should
be warned by that and take some
steps to retain possession Of the
waterpower. Our big mountain
ranges are vast reservoirs for the
storage Of water, and they are pro-
vided by nature without cost to us,
or TO the private exploiter who is
80 rapidly gathering them up The
time Is coming, when II properly
taken care Of the income from this
source alone, will easily pay the run.
ming expenses Of the state, maintain
ing our schools, building our roads
and relieving the citizen Of tho bur
den OF taxation. Is not this worth
looking after? II may sound vision
AIRY now but II true just the same
and the passing of generation, NJ
the most will demonstrate II.