The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-11-15
Important Bill Will be Intro
duced in Congress at an
Early Date
FRANCHISE OF so
YEARS PROPOSED
forced-Attempt to be Made to Get
General Support for the Measure
Provision to Prevent Waste

WASHINGTON, Nov 15.-The House
committee on interstate and foreign
commerce is taking the initiative on
plan for a general revision of the laws
affecting water power development.
The political heads of the committee,
Chairman Adamson of Georgia for the
Democrats and Representative Fred
Stevens OF Minnesota, ranking Republi-
can members. have for some time been
comforting with the Judge advocate
general of the war department, out
lining provisions for a committee bill
that viii if passed effect many changes
in the present law.
1t is planned in the proposed bin to
secure 4 middle ground between the
Observation-Disclosures on the PROPOSE
ton Of the development Of water pow
err 1t is believed bv Mcssrs Adamson
and Stevenson that the new bin viii
be so drafted as to receive the support
of both factions. The decision of the
supreme court last May in the Chan
der Dunbar water power case, it Is
said has opened the way for many de-
sired amendments to the general dam
act. BY determining questions long in
dispute it is claimed the decision will
enable Congress to enact laws helpful
to water power development without
fear that the hughear Of unconstitu-
tionalty may affcrward confront them
According to the ideas of those vino
have been helping draft the bill, il is
understood to provide among other
things "'for the payment Of An charges
payable under The constitution TO the
government for, whatever II does and
allows. : The government is practically
always called ON to do certain work in
L.. L.
to he paid for by the person or cor
poration receiving the franchise The
government within its power also allows
certain privileges in connection with
the franchise, and the law is TO provide
payment for these also.
The proposed act will also regulate
tine term OF the franchise and the dis
position OF the power and equipment
after the franchise has expired. TIN,
Is q matter that has been the subject
Of much dispute Corporations attempt
ing to develop waterpowcr NATURAL,
; want long-term franchises. and in many
cases seek a perpetual franchise. OPP
I posing them are ultra ouists
; who not only would not grant per
fpetual franchises. hut would limit then
To such short terms that corporations
would not accept them.
III -Nl Ifit>AHi - 49, I'll ~ fttittitNt - X
/ gardcd rs Il proper one, and il is proD
L able that tic committee bin will srcei
Il fy a Joyear franchise period VIII
Il this provision viii lie a requirement II
d enable corporations which have secure,
II a franchise TO make proper contract
Il when the end Of their franchise is al
1 preaching. For instance, under a fran
n elise that has run 40 years no contrac
: could be made for the use Of the pow
cr Tor a longer period than 10 year,
! 1t would be impossible practically !:
secure such a contract as in eommo
practice they run not less than i
: least l. Years.
9 Another important matter that tn
bin viii contain is Il provision to pr,
n vent waste OF the water The men
IS bers Of the committee having the sui
jevt under their immediate considers
Is tion say that franchises must be gram
< ed for the use Of waterpower with
distinct provision that the dam an
1t equipment must he sufficient to utiliz
all power possible, that none may /
pr wasted.
50 The government is to be given. und,
II the terms of the proposed BILL the poy
k er to regulate charges for service 4
= veloped by the power. unless bv suit;
i bic legislation the state regulates II
charges, either through public utlltu
. commissions or other appropria'
% bodies. The government can regula+
q the charges, It is claimed by the cor
u mittee, IN one of two ways: first,
STIMULATING to that effect ut the tin
10 the franchise is granted; and secon
no through the clause OF the eintcrsta
n commerce law giving the federal 20
y eminent the right TO regulate pow
going from one state to another.
This bill will be introduced in
TOT probability, early in the first days
the December session. Its progress !
ter THAT Viii be determined by VIII
progress is made with Currency III
+, trust legislation which viii naturall
II un,lerzfhe plans Of the majority, Ia
"a precedence. But it IS proposed TO bri
zz The bill to the attention Of tie iou
ri nj the earliest feasible day, ana
20 pass II as speedily as practicable.
all