The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1913-03-26
Poison Fangs Removed From Snake.

Thomas NJ. Jones, the Oil CITY Der
rick's representative at Harrisburg,
sends, under date of March 10th, the fol-
lowing special which Practically covers
the ground in relation to the iniquitous
Water Commission bill now before the
Senate: "The McNichols- Fleiiz water
snake bill comforting the right of emi-
nent domain on water companies had its
fangs extracted in the Senate Judiciary
General committee this afternoon, when
a delegation Of citizens from the north
western cIunties, headed by ex Congress
man p. NJ. Speer, of Oil City, appeared
against it. Mr.. Speer made such q
masteriul presentation of the side of the
protestants that Senator Men ichols. who
had the bill in charge, and Mr.. Eleilz, its
author, who spoke for II, announced that
that part OF 1t permitting eminent do
main for water companies, and the sec
tion repeating the act OF 1905 forbidding
water companies to have the right OF
eminent demsin would he stricken from
the bill, which etfectuslly removes the
menace. The Crow bill comforting the
right of eminent domain on water COM
psnies has not yet been considered in the
corporation committee, but Senator Crow
understands that his bill, with that pro-
vision in il, cannot pass the Senate.
Nevertheless, it would be we'll to keep an
eye on it,"
The opposition to the bill was opened
in strong arraignment Of its objection
able provisions by J. Horace Mcfarland,
vice president of the State conservation
association who said that, even with the
elimination of the eminent domain fes-
ture, the bill was not what was wanted by
those who believe in real conservation.
Congressman Speer ripped the bill into
smithereens in most drastic manner
charging that every feature of it was
drawn in the interest of the monoplists
who were bent on grabbing up every
available source of water supply tor
power purposes, aud that the people OF
the State would be robbed OF their rights
should the bill be enacted into law.
Hon. f. Y. Kreitler of Nebraska told
what the effect of such a law would have
on the business interests OF Forest county
and tue utter ruin it would bring about
in this entire section. He was ably
seconded by Attorneys Brown and
Ritchey, who had fought the granting OF
charters to place immense dams on Tio-
nesta creek, thus running millions OF
private property, and through the menace
OF these frightul dams, driving the peo-
pie who lived under them out of their
homes, and making them penniless in
the ruination Of their pro- erty. These
speeches, brief though they were neces-
sarily, had telling effect upon the com
mittee, number OF whom expressed
their belief that the bill could not pass
the Senate, Notwithstanding the elimina-
tion of its most menacing features. Other
representatives of our county at the hear.
ing were n. p. Wheeler Jr., of Endeavor,
A. Wayne Cook of Cooksburg, and our
popular Representative in the House,
Hon. A. X. Mechling who introduced the
Forest county delegates and showed them
many couitesies during their stay in the
capital city.
Another snake bill that needs close
watching has been introduced in the
Senate but is still In Committee. 1t IL
known as No. 632, and would repeal the
act of 1905. which prohibits the exercise
of eminent domain by water com.
psnies. This bill would accomplish the
very thing which has been taken out o.
the water snake bill.