Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-06-09
LANE MUST FIGHT
WATER POWER MEASURE NOW
IN CONGRESS DOESN'T SUIT
coNsERvATIoNisTS.
PROBABLY WILL BE PASSED
President Wilson May Veto It-Advo-
Gates of Federal Control Say the
Compensation Is Inadequate
and Misleading.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.


MISUNDERSTANDING of the In
terror Lane apparently will receive the
sanction of congress for all the con-
servation bills which he has recon-
mended with one exception, that which
concerns federal control of the water
power of the country. 1t is, of course,
possible that eventually the secretary
VIII win out In this matter, but at
present there seems to be a de-
termined effort in congress to put
through a water power measure which
win not satisfy the ardent advocates
OF conservation.
Secretary Lane always has been
known as a conservationist and it
appears he and the president think the
present water power bill In congress
is not strong enough to secure to the
government, which means to the peo-
pie Of the United States, all the re-
turns which it should get from the
leasing OF the power to private cor
porations.
The bill, which covers the whole
water power question it seems likely
viii go through the house, for it is
understood that it has the backing of
the house leaders. The measure has
been given privileged status which
means that 1t will be debated early
and probably passed. 1t is believed
in Washington the president does not
think the bill is good one and it is
virtually certain that it does not have
the support of the secretary of the in
terror.
The senate, it is understood, is not
opposed to this bill, against which the
charge is made that it gives to water
power corporations pretty nearly
everything that they ask. Vhe conser-
vationists say their hope lies in the
president of the United States, and
they are quite sure their confidence
that he will veto the measure is not
misplaced.
Compensation Clause Called Bad.
The conservationists say the bill for
general water power legislation seems
to be held generally by the country to
be an excellent measure. This feel
ing arises, they say, from the reports
that have gone out that it contains
ample compensation to the federal gov
ernment for the use of the water
power. They urge a careful reading
Of one section of the bill in order that
people may make up their minds as to
just what 1t does mean.
1t Is section of the bill to which
strong objection is made. II changes
existing law so as to provide that
the compensation required from the
owner of the dam on account of bene-
fits accruing because of headwater
improvement the erection of reser-
voirs, etc, shall be collected to an
amount not exceeding per cent per
annum upon the total investment cost
of such improvements to the United
States, in addition to the annual ex-
penses of maintenance of the headwa-
ter Improvement, all of which shall be
divided among all the dams on thu
stream receiving benefits from the in
creased flow, and shall be equitably
apportioned among all the benefici-
aries"
The conservationists say that 1t
would seem from this perhaps that
the government is going to get a real
return for its money, but they urge
that it does not mean this at all. AS
they put it, the government not only
owas the improvements in the shape
Of reservoirs and other things which
1t has built, but it owns the right to
the water powers of the streams, a
right that has been sustained by the
Supreme court The conservationists
point out in the measure now pending
the governments rights to the water
powers themselves are not compen-
stated for at all, and these powers, they
say, are much more valuable than
locks and dams and other things. |
Two Dreadnaughts Favored.
The house has voted appropriations
sor two dreadnaughts for the United
States navy, and for a number of
smaller craft, 1t is said here the Mex
lean menace is responsible for the gen.
erosity of the representatives in the
laatter Of appropriations for naval pur-
poses. 1t is expected the senate will
sanction the house action. 1t is known |
that the president will sign the bill, for
he has approved Secretary Daniels |
recommendations for naval increases. |
Battleships deteriorste rapidly, or
at any rate comparatively rapidly. |
Boats of the type built ten years ago |
rapidly are going out of oate. and are
now used largely for the reserve fleet, |
ships that will act as harbor and coast |
defenses in case OF attack from the |
sea by foreign enemy.
One battleship a year, it is said by |
the navy experts, will not keep the |
fleets at their present strength. 1t is !
even urged that two bat' s a year |
are not sufficient to ma "a 10 the fight |
ing strength at its present level. The |
navy, however, is much stronger today /
than 1t has been before, even il the !
number of ships has not largely In |
creased.
Democrats More Liberal Now.
Next year, 1915. marks the time
once set by the Republicans in con- /
gress to stop appropriating for two |
battleships each year. Once when