The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-19
PINCH0T ALARMED
Says Water Power Is Passing
to Monopollstic Control.
In an Address Before National
Conservation Congress.

Washington. Nov. 1s.-With the
declaration that the waterpower OF
tho United States was rapidly passing
under monopolistic control. Clifford
Pinchot, former chief forester Of the
government, told delegates to the Ma
tional Conservation congress today
that stern methods must be adopted
to offset the tendency. His address
as defiance to those who are said
to seek the loosening Of federal con-
troll and an extension Of the regulatory
powers Of the individual states IF
without conflict" Mr.. Pinchot said
with emphasis. then we shall have
IL the time.'
Henry 8. Graves. head Of the United
States forest service was on the pro-
gram. He discussed the national
forests and methods for their protec-
ton. Mr.. Pinchot declared that de-
veiopment OF water power only under
proper safeguards was "the greatest
necessity In the whole water power
situation" He quoted figures collect
ed by the federal bureau of corpora
t1ons and the national conservation as
sociation intended to show that con-
centratton OF water power control had
nearly doubled in the last two years.
I'm the last seven years." he con-
tinued. the concentration Of control
In the ten greatest groups has in
creased about seven times faster than
the totaI or all water power develop
not monopoly In the making, where
can it be shown? Commercial power
70 this degree Is political power and
there lies the greatest danger.
It Is argued that concentration Of
water power control is increasing
faster than power development be-
cause high risks and low returns keep
capital away. But according to figures
published by one of the ten greatest
groups OF power in the last ten years,
the net earnings of the gas and elec-
trio companies Of the United States
have never dropped below per cent
as against 4.25 per cent for railroads
and 7.7S per cent for Industrial cor
porations.
What Control Means.
The control Of any source Of me-
chanical power-coal, oil. natural gas,
water power-carries with it control
over the industries which require the
power as the rapidly increasing domi-
electric lights and street railway com
pactes well illustrates. Under these
circumstances we find that the con-
troll OF the water power business, like
the control of the oil business. the
meat business and the anthracite
business. is passing into a few strong
hands. Like coal and meat. me-
chanfcal power from falling water is
q necessity to modern life. Control
over necessity Of life is control over
the people who must have that neces-
sity. Private monopolization of any
necessity of life means private con-
troll over the people without RESPONSE
btlity to the people.
1T means also the power to in
crease the cost Of the necessities of
life and therefore the cost Of living,
without regard to the public interest
up to whatever point will yield the
largest profit"
Mr.. Pinchot concluded with a denial
OF the assertion that full and complete
regulation Of water power would
check its development. The advances
made In development Of such powers
In the national forests in the last two
years. he said. showed the fallacy of
the contention.
Chief Forester Graves dwelt on the
activities Of the forest service, detail
ing the assistance being given through
1t to settlers, stockmen and other citi-
zens while at the same time conserv-
ing the nations assets. He said the
work could be made even more eff
cient If the states would '1et the fed
eral government assume its full re-
sponsfbility Of leadership"