The Washington times., 1914-01-01
DAM ORDER
| OF DEEP PORTENT
ryestigation of Keokuk Situa-
ton Intended to Have Far
Reaching Effects.

RATIONAL Conservation Association Of
\ ais are displaying the utmost in
est In the resolution recently intro
i ced in the House by Congressman
R iney OF Illinois to investigate the
b. ,er power problem arising from the
smous Keokuk dam across the Missis-
sippi river from Keokuk to Hamilton.
The officials OF The associa ton believe
hat II there is an investigs ton il will
oe Of extreme importance Is showing
b. need for strict regulation by the
GUvernment of grants of water power,
some of which constitute enormously
~ liable franchises.
The country has been hearing lot
about water power development, re-
~ ting in cheap light and cheap power
Il build up industries. But in the case
af the great Keokuk dam. one of the
ftrernost engineering projects, the COM
'iitle or no advantage to the public.
The actual repeal of the act con-
N ring the right to construct the dam
on the Keokuk and Hamilton Water
Power Company is suggested. OF, II tnls ms
at so as 10 give The Government com
.Dcusafion and strengthen its hold over
the private corporation, is an alterna-
tive.
Administration Policy Involved.
The question raised by the Rainey
resolution are not only Of importance to
IA enormous locality, which would like
10 get cheaper power from the Keo-
|kuk project, but they have bearing on
what the policy OF this Congress and
|this Administration is going to be
iects and graphing with the water
power trust The evidence that enor-
nously valuable powers are merging IN
ID the hands OF a small group of in
terests is too conclusive to admit of
nl uch dispute.
IN 1905 Congress- passed an act grant
inE TO the Keokuk and Hamilton Water
Power Company rights to construct and
N d intain. for The Improvement OF navi-
gatien and the Development of water
pgwers the dam which has since be-
come famous as the Keokuk dam. 1t
vas represented that the building OF
the dam would greatly aid the navi-
"a Uion Of the Mississippi and that the
Government would save large amounts
h' the maintenance and operation Of
AFoines rapids: also that the develop
uent of power by the company would
BE- OF great benefit TO the immediate
1eighborhood and to the commercial
and manufacturins interests of the
cuuntry. Power has since been trans
ulitfsd to St Louis, and the territory
,ssshich can be reached by the project
u a vast one.
According TO the Rainey resolution
be Dam is a aiGdrance to navigation
nd steamboats, on the river have to
fTait the pleasure OF the company
operating the locks. 1t is, further as
S-rsed that the company and its sub
salaries are engaged in buying up elecL
tie light plants in Illinois. Iowa and
Missouri. within its sphere OF operation,
rayfns more than they are worth in
many cases end giving less Sficent
service than before and demanding the
anne or greater compensation. It Is
sis0 charged that on account of the ex-
8 3ssive compensation demanded by the
eUpsny and its allies or subsidiaries,
ffc tributary country has been little
beaeHttd by the Keokuk dam The
Government has been allowed no com
psnsation for the franchise, nor does
l1e act provide for any compensation
A Difficult Task.
The Rziney resolution directs an in
; vesessation by the House Interstate
/ onmeree Committee TO determine
: neither the act ought to be repealed
! amended 50 as TO provid adequate
{ IJnIpensation for the Government to
,. ing about the regulation OF the cost
b consumers OF electric power and en-
Tgy: also to require the locks to be so
Instructed that navigation OF the river
Fhall nor be hindered.
congress has IN itself numerous ele-
snts that are reluctant to hamper the
! ,Cctsl interests that want to deVolp
: ate; power would have been hard
1oogh to get the things Mr. Rainey
Row desires written into the KeolkulC
am act before the dam was completed
5Ut 10 get these things accomplished
row that the dam Is built viii be much
1Ose difficult.