Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-16
Another Gift to Gain Friendship /?

The Adamson water power bill, re-
ported from the House committee on
interstate and foreign commerce, and
championed by Representative Under
wood, the Democratic floor leader, is "a
bill of the water power interests, by
the water power interests. and for the
water power interests" according to
the statement by Representative Irvine
L. Lenroot, of Wisconsin. That the
bill mas the endorsement of President
Wilson has been stated, Mr.. Lenroot
says, by both Mr.. Underwood, the floor
leader. and Judge Adamson, of Georg-
ia. chairman of the committee which
reported it.
This bill is the most complete sur
the country that has ever been attempt
Cd by any administration declares Mr.
Lenroot 1T can only be compared to
the railroad land grant scandals of a
generation ago with much less excuse
or justification.
In the palmiest days OF Aidrich and
Cannon in the Republican party bill
% destructive Of public rights would
never have been dreamed of, and 1t re-
mains for the Democratic party, the par
~ whose boast is that it is the foe of
special privilege, to become the servant
OF one of the most vicious forms of
special interests the water power trust.
Some Of the vicious features of the
Perpetual franchises to waterpower
companies, with no power of altera ton
OF their terms for all time to come.
While purporting to be for 80 years only,
G Sn irC A. that
the franchises go on forever. The only
right pretended to be reserved to the
United States Ia that at the end of the
bo-year period, 1t may take over the dams
lines upon paying therefor their full
value. This means absolutely nothing,
for IL under the Constitution the United
States would have the right to purchase
the power of eminent domain.
Electricity and hydro-electric power is
still in its infancy. What the public in
terest may require 80 years hence. no
man can tell. The slightest regard for
the public interest would cause the in
sertion Of provision In the bill TO the
effect that al the end of the 5o-year
period, the United States either through
Congress, or duly authorized officers
would have the right to renew the fran
chise upon new terms and conditions,
and that until such renewal was had. the
possession of the grantee OF the franchise
should be temporary only.
Under pd.a the pressn, IaI law dan
any future expense in the inter
est of navigation occasioned by the ex'
tstencs Of the dam, mast be borne BY
the grantee of the franchise. IL the secre
tary of war and chief of engineers st
stipulate In their approval Of the project
All this liz changed in this bill by reQuir
ing the secretary of war and the chic
of engineers to designate in the begin
~. sa1 nF rASo cot
such locks. booms. sluices, or othel
structures as the grantee shall be re
ouired to make. This means that for al
time to come the grantee can be put Il
no expepee in these matters made neces
ssry by the existence Of its dam. uniesi
II is foreseen and provided for in the be
ginning. 1t means that the government
can be put to millions of dollars OF ex
dams across navigable waters, an ex
pense which should be borne by thos
who made the expense necessary.
sArhe most vicious feature, next to tina
Of perpetual franchise is that granting
the use to water power companies OF al
the lands of the United States necessar,
for the construction of dams and aeees
sorry works, upon an annual payment Q
ave per cent Of the fair value OF IN
iards taken. This fairly takes one
breath away 1t is practically giyin
every water power site in the ccuntr
now a part of the public domain over I
the water power trust.
THE bill pretends TO give to the ser
retary of war power over rates an
rtarees for electric current. whereve
the same enters into. interstate, CON
snsree, hut BY q cleverly concealed Joke
in The proyiso, this power Is immedistsi
taken away. wherever mere - sas
eoramlsslon with adequate power o. regu
ss,ian ef current TO consumers IN n
STATE ana there Is no. discrimina ton %
f~ssn states. However. the srare nj
hs2 no authority to regulate charge