New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-26
AdamsOn Measure Called
Complete Surrender to
MonOpolistS.
ROOSEVELT AND TAFT
POLICIES REVERSED
House Amendment Proposes to
Let War Secretary Fix Price
of Power Permits.

Washington. July % Clifford Pin
cAot. president Of the National Con
Scryation Association, in statement
ISSUED tonight takes issue with Presi-
dent Wilson as to whom the AdamSon
water power bill will benefit. Presl-
dcnt Wilson Endorsed this bill and de-
clsred IL 70 be in the interests OF the
reople and against the water power
mOnopoliStS.
Mr.. Pinchot views the bill as com
Dlete surrender TO the monopollsts'
lie indorseS the conservation poncles
OF ex-Presidents Roosevelt and lait'
upholds the Presidential vetoes oil the
James River dam bill and the Coosa
River dam bill and pronounceS the IN
dorsement by President Wilson OF the
Adamson bill direct reversal OF the
conservation policies of his two lmme-
date predecessors.
at does not require the power com
ranies to pay the public for the val
liable privileges they receive" said Mr..
Finchot of the Adamson bill. ut was
largely for a like failure that the
Presidential vetoes were made OF the
James River dam bill in 1909. and the
Coosa River dam bill in 1911. After
the seven years fight TO make the
power interests adequately compensate
the government for special privileges
thew are now invited to help them
selves TO what they may choose on
our navigable streams. Certainly the
great power combinations who Will
ultimately get these franchises can
we'll afford to pay for them.
"The Adamson bill does not protect
consumers within the states from ex-
;ortion in case the state governments
fail 10 act.
At makes substantially impossible
the taking back of the public rights
granted. even when the ostensible htty-
YEAR period of the grant has expired.
at gives the water power people
the right to saddle the government
with the unearned increment IN land
values if it ever should succeed IN re-
suming its rights.
1T would apparently require the
Government to take over the whole
electric lighting plant of city to get
possession again of the water power
owned bv the people, If that power
we're the source from when the Hght-
ing plant was supplied.
"This bill prevents the amendment
mr. repeal of a grant or franchise ex-
cent when Congress determines that
the conditions Of consent have been
violated.
"The Adamson Bill IN its present
form is full of jokers. and is lacking in
important safeguards TO protect the
publc interest. II does not, for eX-
ample. REQUIRE publicity of accounts
and capitalization. Above all, IT is
deeply TO be regretted that the admin
istration should have given its indorse-
ment 70 a bill which is so directly OPP
posed to the public interest. The Ad-
amson bill embodies what the conserya-
tionists have been fighting against. Its
passage would be sweeping victory
for the water power monopolists."
In the House to-day Representative
Sherley. of Kentucky. presented en-
amendment TO the bill which would
authorize the Secretary of War 10
prescribe the amounts 10 be paid by
power companies receiving permits.
The permits would run for fifty years,
the Secretary having power 10 rear
range the schedule of payments at the
end Of twenty years and each ten years
thereafter.
Mr. Underwood opposed the amend
ment. saying that under such p an 1t
would be impossible almost TO obtain
funds TO finance water power under
takings, but sentiment in the House
seemed generally to favor it. 1t will
be decided on Monday.