Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-12-27

sion OF the merits and weak points in
volved I'm each Of these policies
Certain grants for power development
have been made in Nebraska The state
and the grantees are bound under tho law
affecting these cases The public utility
corporations are subject to public control
as regards rates and service. But 1t is
quite possible that not moro than one
or two OF tho large projects can complete
development within the time prescribed
in the grants. We should distinguish be-
tween private concerns and public utility
corporations. Private individuals arc
not bound so closely under the law. II Is
evident that perpetual water power rights
have been conveyed In practically all
projects now developed. and that the only
thing that can annul them is non-use.
Among the things which have been dis
cussed and quite generally. agreed upon
as being best in water power develop
rnent are the following:
1. That the state owns and should con-
troll the intrastate streams not navigable
! The Loup is strictly a Nebraska river
| and the NiobrBra can be regarded as such
| Neither river Is nAylgable, ana there VIII
| the use of water for domestic and irrl-
| cation purposes. The lower Platte Is fed
| by the Loup. and no complications should
| arise because Of its development for
2. That perpetual power rights should
not be granted. This is against the pres
| ent practice in Nebraska
g. That there should be no speculative
| holdings of undeveloped power sites, and
no transfer or ignments OF grants
| without authority from the state. This Is
and to protect the state
4. That the state should survey It's
power producing streams and sites thereon
and perfect a system for the admins
tration of these resources. The state en-
| gineer OF Nebraska Is gaugtng tho rivers
| In cooperation with Il federal depart
ment. The conservation survey has
charge of water resource investigation,
| but is without funds for this work.
6. That franchises should be granted
upon terms which insure.
A. Prompt development
| Il. Good returns upon capital invested,
allowing for risks involved
@. Good service and fair charge to the
consumer.
d. Protection in the courts in case of
| dispute.
There is no definite agreement concern
ing the tenure of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
fiXed-term or indeterminate. Operators
favor the indeterminate franchise, Some
fovar a clause permitting renewal at the
end OF a fixed period, ana others not. In
case renewal Is refused, the state should
provide to take over plants at their fair
value; 1t would seem that the general
practice In business should prevail In
these leases, especially So because the
projects will differ greatly in their value
and desirability. The matter of rental
or annual charge is one OF dispute, Some
favor a nominal charge and the cheapest
power possible for the consumer,
6. That the monopolistic control OF
The accomplishment of this will be DIFF.
ficult, for water powers are most eff
GENTLY managed when in large holdings
BY such combinations, the load is equal
lied and the danger of breakdowns Is re
duced. So from the nature of the case
we may expect to see the powers of each
Nebraska river, such as the Big Blue and
the Little Blue brought together under
few years. Such development need moi
be monopolistic.
Z. That the policy favoring state owner
Ing favor Just what is to be done in thi,
line I'm Nebraska, Is a problem, The
policy is right in principle, yet II should
not be inaugurated without stronger
sentiment in it's favor. state ownership
has it's strong points and It's pitfalls. i
| requires an administration of permanent,
and free from political influences. Thu
construction OF projects should not bs
started until there is a sure marke
for power.
Let me say, in closing this article, tina
I am not here favoring any given policy
There Is more or less merit In each o
them. Our principal effort should be di
rected In the line OF bringing about re
suits, but we SHOULD not go too far II
this respect. II private capital can be in
terested In these projects by a leasini
system fair both TO the operator and tn
consumer. then we'll and good, but II not
we should undertake the development o
approved projects under state manage
ment.