The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1914-07-03
LANE MUST FIGHT
WATER POWER MEASURE NOW
IN coNoREss DOESN'T SUIT
CONsERvATIONisr
President WIlson May Veto it-Advo-
e1tes Of Federal Control Say the
Compensation 10 inadequate
and Misleading.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

BY GEORGE CLINTON.
Washington.-Secreta OF the In
terror Lane apparently will receive the
sanction OF congress for all the con-
seIvation 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 q de-
termined effort In congress to put
through water power measure which
viii not satisfy the ardent advocates
OF conservation.
Secretary Lane always has been
known as conservationist and 1t
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 1t should get from the
leasing Of the power to private cor
porations
The bill, which covers the whole
water power question 1t seems likely
VIII go through the house, for 1t Is
understood that 1t 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 a good one and 1t is
virtually certain that 1t does not have
the support Of the secretary OF the In
terror.
The senate, 1t Is understood, Is not
opposed to this bill. against which the
charge is made that 1t gives to water
power corporations pretty nearly
everything that they ask. The 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
10 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 1t contains
ample compensation to the federal gov
eminent 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 it does mean.
II Is section 4 OF the bill to which
strong objection Is made 1t changes
existing law so as to provide that
the compensation required from the
swner OF the dam on account of bene- :
ATS accruing because of headwater .
improvements, 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-
aenses of maintenance of the headwa-
ter improvement. all of which shall be |
divided among all the dams on the |
stream receiving benefits from the in
creased How. and shall be eQuitably |
Rpportioned among all the benefci- |
aries"
The conservationists say that 1t ,
would seem from this perhaps that |
the government rs going to get a real |
return for its money. but they urge |
that II does not mean this at all AS |
they put 1t. the government not only |
owns the improvements in the shape
7f 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
ehs 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 Oreadnauohts Favored.
The house has voted appropriations
for two dreadnaughts for the United |
States navy aid for a number OF |
smaller craft II Is said here the Mex |
lean menace is responsible for the gen /
crosby of the representatives in the |
matter of appropriations for naval pur-
poses. Ii is expected the senate will !
sanction the house action. 1t is known |
that the president will sign the bill, for |
be has approved Secretary Daniels |
recommendations for naval increases. !
Battleships deterlorate rapidly. or
at any rate comparatively rapidly. |
Boats of the type built ten years ago |
rapidly are going out of date, 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 a foreign enemy.
One battleship year, it is said by |
the navy experts. will not keep the !
fleets at their present strength. II is
even urged that two battleships year |
are not sufficient to maintain the fight. |
.4ng strength at its present level. The
navy, however, is much stronger today
than it has been before, even If the
number of ships has not largely in